Department for Transport

South Eastern Rail Franchise: Timetables

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to (a) amend and (b) defer the process for awarding the Southeastern rail franchise as a result of the decision not to introduce in full a new rail timetable in December 2018.

Joseph Johnson: There are no plans to defer the awarding of the South Eastern franchise as a result of the decision not to introduce a full new timetable for December 2018.

Road Traffic: Greater London

Paul Scully: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the roll-out of cycle superhighways throughout London on the level of traffic congestion.

Jesse Norman: Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London, and it is for him to consider what, if any, assessment is made of the effects of cycle superhighways on traffic congestion. The Department for Transport has not made a specific assessment of the effect of cycle superhighways on London’s congestion. Transport for London publishes a number of statistics on journey times and travel trends in its annual report “Travel in London”.

Road Traffic: Greater London

Paul Scully: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from (a) road users and (b) other organisations on the effect of cycle superhighways throughout London on the level of traffic congestion.

Jesse Norman: Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London, and it is for him to consider any impacts of cycle superhighways on London’s traffic congestion.The Department for Transport has received fewer than 10 items of correspondence on this matter since 2015 from the general public.

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the UK will adhere to the emissions standards for (a) cars, (b) vans and (c) heavy duty vehicles set out in recent EU proposed frameworks after the UK has left the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The recent White Paper on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union sets out the UK’s proposal for a UK-EU free trade area, underpinned by a common rulebook on industrial goods. This covers all rules that set the requirements for placing a product on the market, including environmental requirements, as are necessary to provide for frictionless trade at the border. This would include the type approval system for all categories of motor vehicles and would ensure that the UK and the EU adhere to the same emission standards for cars, vans and heavy duty vehicles.

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to take steps to discourage the purchase of high-emission (a) sports utility and (b) other such vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: As my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State has previously said, when people are buying new cars they should think carefully about the type of car that suits their needs. For example, someone who is making short journeys, mostly in towns, might find an electric car better suited to their needs than a larger diesel car. It is our mission for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040. Our recently published ‘Road to Zero’ strategy sets out the action Government will take to support this mission, as well as the steps we are taking to drive down emissions from conventional vehicles during the transition.

Aviation

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 March 2018 to Question 132937 on Aviation, what definition his Department uses for (a) licensed and (b) certificated aerodromes.

Jesse Norman: A certificated aerodrome is one that falls within the scope of Commission Regulation (EU) No 139/2014. Aerodromes fall within the scope of this Regulation if they are open to public use; serve commercial air transport; operate using instrument flight procedures; and have a paved runway of 800 metres or above. An aerodrome outside of the scope of Commission Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 is required to be licensed if it meets the criteria outlined in Part 8 of the Air Navigation Order 2016. Such an aerodrome is required to hold a national licence if it is used for commercial air transport or flying training in aircraft above a specified weight.

European Union Agency for Railways

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the UK’s continued membership of the European Railways Agency notwithstanding the terms of the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Joseph Johnson: The UK rail industry has played a leading role in the development of international rail standards and safety regimes. We fully expect this to continue once we have left the EU and it is in all of our interests that it does given the importance of these areas. The exact nature of the UK’s relationship with the EU on rail, including with the European Agency for the Railways, is a matter for discussion with the EU.

Railways: EU Law

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the UK’s continued adherence to (a) EU rail standards and (b) the provisions of the EU rail packages notwithstanding the terms of the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Joseph Johnson: The Government’s White Paper, The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, explains that once we have left the EU we will have the flexibility to shape our domestic railway legislation to meet the needs of passengers and freight shippers, and reflect the unique characteristics of the rail network within the UK. Any future decisions about the application of rail standards will involve careful consideration of the views of the UK rail industry. The Government is preparing for transposition of both the Technical and Market Pillars of the Fourth Railway Package.

Railways

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings (a) Ministers in his Department and (b) officials of his Department have had with their counterparts in other European countries to discuss bilateral rail agreements.

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to pursue bilateral rail agreements with (a) other European countries and (b) the Republic of Ireland in addition to those already under development with France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Joseph Johnson: Department for Transport officials maintain regular contact with their European counterparts to discuss a range of matters in relation to the operation of cross-border rail services. Ministers meet with their European counterparts from time to time and discuss a range of issues relating to our common interest in continued cross-border services. As set out in the Government’s White Paper, The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the EU and the UK have agreed that the UK will pursue bilateral agreements with France, Belgium and the Netherlands to ensure the continued smooth functioning and operation of services through the Channel Tunnel, including Eurostar, and with Ireland to do the same for the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise line. The Department does not currently have any plans to pursue bilateral agreements for cross-border rail services with other EU countries. However, the Government supports the development of new services through the Channel Tunnel and, as such, the Department will keep under review the need for further such bilateral agreements as proposals for new routes arise.

Motorcycles: Noise

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to reduce noise emissions from motorcycles.

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what laws govern permissive noise of motorbikes and their exhaust systems.

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will meet with the relevant motorbiking manufacturers and associated bodies to help reduce noise generated by motorbikes.

Jesse Norman: Technical standards for noise from new motorcycles are set at an International level by both the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). These provisions were updated in 2014 and took effect for new machines from 2016. Further independent research funded by the European Commission has established the potential for further noise limit reductions and the Commission is proposing that these should take effect in 2020. The motorcycle industry is represented at the UNECE discussions and Department for Transport officials also hold routine discussions with it outside this forum. Once in service, UK regulations require exhausts and silencers to be maintained in good working order and not altered so as to increase noise. In addition, replacement exhaust silencers are required to be marked to show compliance with relevant requirements, and silencers intended for off road use have to be marked to indicate this. Silencers that do not comply with these requirements, or are marked “not for road use”, may not be used on the road. During the annual MOT test exhausts and silencers are checked, and a motorcycle should fail if it emits noise that is clearly unreasonably above the level expected from a similar motorcycle with a standard silencer in average condition. Outside the MOT the police have powers to take action if they suspect the exhaust has been altered, or if the machine is making excessive noise which could be avoided through reasonable rider care. The Department is commissioning research into other ways to support police and highway authorities in combating and enforcing against excessive noise.

Department for Transport: Former Members

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many former hon. Members hold (a) paid and (b) unpaid roles within his Department as of 17 July 2018.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: We are unable to provide the requested information as we do not record employment history prior to an individual joining the Department for Transport or its respective Agencies.

Motorcycles: Noise

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will commission research into the effects of motorbike related noise on rural and urban communities.

Jesse Norman: The Department for Transport is well aware of community concerns regarding motorbike noise. There are already regulations in place, and police have powers to take action to deal with excessive noise from vehicles on public roads and highways. However, we have recently commissioned new research into other enforcement measures and technologies with the potential to combat excessive noise.

London North Eastern Railway

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the cost was of changing branding and livery to LNER following the collapse of Virgin Trains East Coast.

Joseph Johnson: The estimated cost of rebranding the existing rolling stock and issuing new uniform items to staff is approximately £550,000. The incurring of these costs are normal at the end of any franchise where the operator changes as LNER could not use the Virgin brand following the transfer of the services to LNER. It was also important to spend this money in order to help establish this new brand in the market and maintain customer awareness of the services on offer.

Motor Vehicles: Fuels

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of offering incentives for the adoption of fuel converters that lower the total amount of emissions produced by a vehicle.

Jesse Norman: The Department has not investigated the merits of offering incentives for fuel converters. Companies who have developed retrofit technologies are encouraged to utilise the Government’s Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS). This scheme has been designed specifically to allow them to have their performance assessed and verified independently.

Cycling: Electric Vehicles

Stephen Kerr: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential benefits of a greater uptake in electric bikes for (a) older people, (b) people on low incomes and (c) people with mobility problems.

Jesse Norman: The Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS), published in April 2017, encourages people to take up cycling, either on conventional bikes or electric bikes. The Department recognises that electric bikes offer a wide range of potential benefits, including to health and to the environment, and that they can make cycling easier and more attractive. The Department has not undertaken any formal assessment of the potential benefits of a greater uptake of electric bikes by those particular groups, but the measures set out in the CWIS should lead to an overall increase in the use of electric bikes, and the benefits associated with this.

Cycling: Commuters

Stephen Kerr: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of updating the Cycle to Work Scheme guidance to facilitate a greater uptake in electric bikes.

Jesse Norman: The Cycle to Work Scheme can already be used to assist with the purchase of electrically assisted pedal cycles, and is one of the many ways in which the Government is supporting active travel choices, as set out in the 2017 Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. The Department is currently in the process of updating the Cycle to Work Scheme guidance and will make a further announcement later in the year.

Cycleways: Gloucestershire

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to put out to tender the preliminary outline design for the proposed Gloucester to Cheltenham cycle route; and what the timeframe is for the announcement of the successful bidder for that tender.

Jesse Norman: The Gloucester to Cheltenham Cycle Route is a Highways England-led project to provide an alternative route to the A40 for cyclists, using local roads. Preliminary design is currently being undertaken by Highways England’s designers and there is no formal tender process for this element of the work. The scheme is being developed with Gloucestershire County Council as it will use their road network and is due to be delivered in early 2020.

South Western Railway: Compensation

Laura Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 June 2018 to Question 155260 on rail strikes, whether South Western Railway has made an application in the last 12 months to reimburse the company for revenues lost as a result of official industrial action.

Joseph Johnson: South Western Railway has made an application with regards to industrial action.

Tyne and Wear Metro: Rolling Stock

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has held with Nexus on the proposed replacement of the Tyne and Wear Metro train fleet.

Jesse Norman: In the Autumn 2017 Budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a direct grant of £337m to invest in new fleet for the Tyne & Wear Metro. Nexus provide the Department for Transport with regular updates on this procurement work as part of its regular reporting. Nexus are responsible for the management of the procurement, delivery and rollout of the new fleet of trains.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Geothermal Power: Expenditure

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much the Government spent from the public purse on (a) subsidies, (b) investment and (c) research and development in the geothermal energy sector in each of the last 10 financial years and to date in the 2018 - 2019 financial year.

Claire Perry: a) SubsidiesHeat produced by geothermal energy is supported under the Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The RHI tariff for geothermal heat is 5.38 pence per kilowatt hour. Over the last 10 financial years to date, there has been one preliminary application and no full applications for a geothermal installation on the RHI scheme. b) Investment & c) Research and DevelopmentThere is no single data repository for historical information on cross-government investment into energy research, development and demonstration (RD&D). The best available record of government investment in renewable energy technologies is the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Energy Technology RD&D Budget Database, which this Department and its predecessor (Department of Energy and Climate Change) contribute to. The IEA’s database allows users to track trends in spending by energy technology in IEA countries back to 1974. You can find the information you require at: http://www.iea.org/statistics/rdd/. Whilst, the IEA’s Database is the most complete and best available historical record, given the long time period, the range of government departments and agencies involved, and different interpretations of what classifies as energy RD&D, the reported figures could be imperfect and/or incomplete. The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently reviewing how this data is collected and reported, to improve data accuracy and confidence in the future. The table below, available on the IEA website, shows the amount spent on biomass energy innovation per financial year to the nearest million in £GDP (blank cells is where data is unavailable):Financial year startingGeothermal energy2008-20094.12010-2011Less than 0.120120.120130.120140.120150.12016Less than 0.12017Less than 0.1

Boilers: Standards

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the compliance of boilers sold in the UK with minimum efficiency requirements.

Claire Perry: Boiler standards fall under Building Regulations, and are a devolved matter. In England the current installation standards for boilers came into force in April this year. The Department engaged closely with the industry for two years before setting the standard to ensure the balance was right between ambition and deliverability. Our market assessment in 2017 found that two thirds of boilers available in the market already complied with the new standard. Since coming into force there is no evidence of boilers being sold below the 92% efficiency requirement. We will conduct an assessment in 2019 to ensure standards continue to be met, and a full review within five years.

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the recommendations of the National Infrastructure Commission in the National Infrastructure Assessment, published on 10 July 2018, whether his Department has plans to (a) move offshore wind into pot 1 and (b) provide greater clarity on auction plans.

Claire Perry: The Clean Growth Strategy announced up to £557 million of annual support for further Contracts for Difference.The next competitive auction for less established renewable technologies, including offshore wind, is planned to be held in spring 2019.

Mineworkers' Pension Scheme

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress has been made in discussions between the Government, the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme Trustees, Trade Union representatives and others on the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme surplus.

Claire Perry: I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS) Trustees recently to discuss options for the future of the Scheme. As a result of that discussion, I have asked BEIS officials to work with the Trustees to explore options for revising the scheme to the benefit of all parties. The MPS has worked well for all parties and credit must go to the Trustees for their excellent investment strategy and administration of the Scheme. As Trustees have acknowledged, the Government guarantee has enabled an investment strategy that has resulted in scheme members receiving payments 33% higher than they would have been had they received only their actual earned pension up to privatisation. The most recent valuation has just been completed. Positive results mean that scheme members will receive an additional 4.2% of the guaranteed pension as bonuses for each of the next 6 years. More information is available here: https://www.mps-pension.org.uk/news/2018/07/results-of-the-2017-valuation.

Companies: Registration

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many companies have been found to have registered at Companies House using inaccurate information in each of the last five years.

Richard Harrington: Companies House cannot specifically identify whether the inaccurate information was filed on registration or after: to identify this would place the question outside the cost threshold.

Fuel Poverty

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to reduce fuel poverty in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England.

Claire Perry: The best long-term solution to tackling fuel poverty is to improve energy efficiency to bring the cost of heating homes down. We recently announced that the whole of the £640m per year Energy Company Obligation scheme will be focused on low income and vulnerable households from later this year. Financial support is also available to help low income and vulnerable households with the cost of keeping warm each winter. The Warm Home Discount provides over 2 million households with a £140 rebate off their energy bill. In addition, the current Safeguard Tariff caps energy prices for 4 million pre-payment meter customers, and 1 million households in receipt of the Warm Home Discount, two groups who are known to be among the most vulnerable in society. The Domestic Gas & Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018 requires Ofgem to temporarily extend these protections to a further 11 million customers on standard variable and default tariffs.

Chevron Petroleum: North Sea

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Oil and Gas Authority on the effect on the terms and conditions of employment for offshore workers of Chevron’s sale of its oil and gas platforms and satellites in the Central North Sea; and what estimate he has made of the number of offshore staff will be affected by that sale.

Claire Perry: Chevron has confirmed an intent to market its assets in the Central North Sea, however, this may not result in the sale of the assets. It would, therefore, be inappropriate to comment further. Issues surrounding the terms and conditions of employment for offshore workers fall outside of the remit of the Oil and Gas Authority.

Offshore Industry: Decommissioning

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with (a) trades unions and (b) the oil and gas authority on employment standards in the offshore decommissioning industry.

Claire Perry: The majority of companies and people undertaking work on offshore decommissioning are those who also work in the new build and ongoing production phases of the oil and gas industry and as such there are well established employment standards and conditions.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Razan Al Najjar

Faisal Rashid: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has received information from his Israeli counterpart on the cause of death of the Palestinian medic Razan Al Najjar.

Alistair Burt: We have not received any information on this issue directly from the Israeli authorities, we understand that the Israeli probe into the death of Razan Al Najjar is still ongoing.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the US Administration on development plans to tackle the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Alistair Burt: I discussed plans to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza with the US Administration, during my visit to Washington D.C. on 12-13 July.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Palestinian Authority on development plans to tackle the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Alistair Burt: ​The former Foreign Secretary spoke to President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA) on 16 May and raised his concerns about the humanitarian and political situation in Gaza, particularly in relation to protests taking place along the Gaza/Israel security fence. He noted that calm and restraint was required from all sides. Our Consul General in Jerusalem routinely discusses the humanitarian situation in Gaza with PA ministers, doing so most recently with the Minister of Health on 19 July.

UK Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the work programme is of the UK Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Mark Field: ​The precise work programme for the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), whose appointment was announced on 4 July, is still under discussion. At a high level, it will include working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's overseas network and international partners to achieve a step-change in our diplomatic efforts to defend the right to FoRB and proactively working for change in selected countries. Because of the sensitivities of some of this work, it would not be appropriate to give the details of the work programme at this page.

Colombia: Human Rights and Religious Freedom

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Colombian counterpart on freedom of religion and upholding human rights in that country.

Sir Alan Duncan: I am concerned by levels of violence against human rights defenders and community leaders, which includes some religious leaders. We believe religious leaders have been targeted for their role as community leaders, and not primarily because of their faith. Colombia is designated a Human Rights Priority Country by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Our concerns about human rights were published in the FCO’s annual human rights report on 16 July which can be viewed on the .Gov website. I have discussed the situation of human rights in Colombia with visiting Ministers and with the Colombian Ambassador. The UK also raised concerns about violence against human rights defenders and conflict related sexual violence during Colombia’s Universal Periodic Review at Geneva in May.

Ukraine: Military Aid

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 16 July 2018, Official Report, column 24, what support the Government is offering to the Government of Ukraine in relation to the situation in the Crimea.

Sir Alan Duncan: The UK is absolutely clear in its rejection of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. The British Government regularly highlights, publically and multilaterally, Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and human rights abuses towards those who oppose the illegal annexation. In public statements, including the UK statement at the recent UN Human Rights Council, our bilateral contacts with Russia and in multilateral fora - we have called on Russia to immediately release Ukrainian prisoners detained for politically motivated reasons. The EU has taken practical measures to reinforce its policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea, including on 18 June the EU renewed trade sanctions in response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol for a further 12 months; and on 5 July economic sanctions were renewed for a further 6 months.

Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Pakistan

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether any funding for counter-extremism purposes in Pakistan through the Conflict Stability and Security Fund was allocated to the Inter-Services Intelligence.

Mark Field: The Pakistan Conflict Security and Stability Fund conducts monitoring and evaluation via an independent third party. This monitoring and evaluation covers the individual programmes including the counter extremism programme. Monitoring and evaluation is conducted for the programme's performance as a whole, as well as specific lines of activity.No funding provided through the Conflict Stability and Security Fund for counter extremism purposes in Pakistan has been allocated to the Inter-Services Intelligence.

Department for Exiting the European Union

UK Trade with EU

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether the common rulebook for goods proposed in the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm9593, will cover all goods (a) produced in, (b) imported to and (c) exported from the UK.

Suella Braverman: The UK has proposed that a common rulebook for goods including agri-food should underpin the UK-EU free trade area. As set out in the White Paper, the common rulebook would cover those rules which are necessary to provide for frictionless trade at the border between the UK and EU. In the case of manufactured goods, this encompasses all rules that could be checked at the border, as they set the requirements for placing manufactured goods on the market. For agricultural products, food and drink, this includes relevant Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) rules, but excludes those relating to wider food policy. With regards to goods exported from the UK to countries outside of the EU, UK firms will, as now, be able to manufacture products that meet the regulatory requirements of those countries.

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 7 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the mechanism will be which allows the provisions of agreements with the EU to be reviewed.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 7 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the mechanisms are that will be adopted for future termination of agreements with the EU.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 7 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the arrangements are for ensuring that the UK's future relationship with the EU is adaptable and can change over time.

Mr Robin Walker: The UK has proposed joint institutional arrangements that provide for proper democratic accountability, which allow for the relationship to develop over time, managing cooperation effectively and enabling the UK and the EU to address issues as they arise. As set out in Chapter 4, Paragraph 8 this proposal draws on precedents from other international agreements. The precise nature of these arrangements are subject to negotiation.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Accountancy

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how much his Department has spent with the Big Four accountancy firms in the last twelve months.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department has incurred the following amounts with the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms in the twelve months to 30 June 2018: KPMG £361,730.38 (VAT included)Deloitte £0PricewaterhouseCoopers £0Ernst & Young £0

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, which the rules are which would be interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union under the proposals there set out.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which the EU rules are which are referred to in paragraph 42 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, which would be interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union under the proposals contained in that paragraph.

Chris Heaton-Harris: UK courts would pay due regard to CJEU case law in only those areas where the UK continued to apply a common rulebook. The common rulebook will cover goods including agri-food, where those rules are necessary to provide for frictionless trade at the border. Where the UK agrees to retain a common rulebook with the EU, it will be important for businesses and citizens here and in the EU that those areas are interpreted and applied consistently. The UK has therefore proposed that it would commit by treaty that its courts would pay due regard to CJEU case law, insofar as this was relevant to the matter before them. This is a recognition of legal fact - no other court can bind the EU on the meaning of EU law. However, these rights would be enforced in the UK by UK courts and in the EU by EU courts.No longer will courts in the UK be able to refer cases to the CJEU, including in cases involving individuals and businesses. And at present, the UK is bound by all CJEU decisions - hundreds of decisions every year which have direct effect in the UK, whether the case originated in the UK or not. This will no longer be the case.

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 35 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, which the actions are that the Joint Committee will be empowered to take in the event of significant divergences between the interpretation of agreements by the courts of the UK and the EU.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 34 of Chapter 4 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what actions the Joint Committee will be empowered to take in the event of significant divergences between the interpretation of agreements by the courts of the UK and the EU.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 34 of Chapter 4 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9653, published on 12 July 2018, what actions the Joint Committee will be empowered to take in the event of significant divergences between the interpretation of agreements by the courts of the UK and the EU.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The proposed role of the Joint Committee is set out in Chapter 4 of the White Paper. It will be responsible for the functioning of the overarching institutional framework, which will encompass most of our agreements with the EU. It will do so through regular and structured dialogue, and by making decisions in order to manage any issues, and mitigate any disputes that might arise, including where significant divergences in interpretation had been identified. If a dispute were to arise due to a significant divergence, a formal dispute could be raised in the Joint Committee. In some areas, it may be escalated to independent arbitration if a resolution cannot be reached in the Joint Committee.

EU Countries: Overseas Workers

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussion he has had with his EU counterparts on the future status of UK citizens working in EU (a) institutions, (b) bodies and (c) agencies after the UK leaves the EU.

Suella Braverman: I refer my Rt Hon Friend to the answer I gave him in response to PQ139985. In addition to the recent European Commission decision regarding aspects of the post-exit employment status of UK staff. (available online: http://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/rep/10061/2018/EN/PV-2018-2249-F1-EN-MAIN-PART-1.PDF)) A number of other EU institutions have made similar decisions. The Government welcomes this and hopes that other EU institutions, agencies and bodies will follow suit to provide consistency of treatment of UK nationals working across the EU institutions.



European Commission decision
(PDF Document, 579.99 KB)

Brexit

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to his oral contribution of 12 July 2018, on EU: Future Relationship White Paper Column 1158, Official Report, column 1158, what the timetable is for the publication of the (a) withdrawal agreement and (b) implementation bill.

Suella Braverman: As we set out in the future relationship White Paper the UK and the EU have a shared ambition to agree both the Withdrawal Agreement and the Future Framework by October in order to given sufficient time for the respective our Parliaments to give their approval before the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019. Once the UK and the EU have reached agreement on the Withdrawal Agreement and Future Framework, under the terms of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, there will be a debate in both Houses of Parliament. If the House of Commons supports a resolution to approve the Withdrawal Agreement and Future Framework, the Government will bring forward the implementing legislation - the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill. A draft of the Withdrawal Agreement was published on 19 March 2018.

Exports and Imports

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to the White Paper, The Future Relationship Between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what remaining frictions there will be for (a) exporters and (b) importers.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The UK is proposing a common rulebook for goods, covering only those rules necessary to provide for frictionless trade at the border. UK firms could continue to manufacture products for export that meet the regulatory requirements of third countries. The UK has also proposed the business-friendly Facilitated Customs Arrangement, which would see the UK mirroring the EU’s customs approach to ensure all goods have complied with EU customs processes - thus removing the need for customs processes between the UK and the EU.

Attorney General

Magistrates' Courts: Convictions

Nic Dakin: To ask the Attorney General, with reference to tables three and seven of the Crown Prosecution Service Annual Report 2016-17, what the reasons are for conviction rates in Magistrates Courts being higher than those in Crown Court; and what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for defendants having a 25 per cent greater chance of acquittal at a Crown Court than at a Magistrates Court.

Mr Geoffrey Cox: The latest annual report and accounts are now available on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Website. The table below shows that, during each of the last four most recently available years, conviction rates have remained stable in both magistrates’ courts and at the Crown Court.2014-20152015-20162016-20172017-2018Magistrates' Courts Conviction Rate84.2%83.8%84.8%84.8%Crown Court Conviction Rate79.4%79.2%78.9%79.9%Data Source: CPS Management Information SystemCases prosecuted at magistrates’ courts tend to comprise minor or less serious offences with a greater proportion of defendants pleading guilty (78.0% during 2017-18, compared to 70.9% at the Crown Court). By way of example, motoring cases comprise over 21% of cases in the magistrates’ courts but only 2% in the Crown Court.In contrast, a greater proportion of cases triable on indictment at the Crown Court are serious and complex in nature, and defendants are more likely to plead not guilty. During the most recent year, 16.8% of prosecutions at the Crown Court resulted in a trial, with a conviction after contest rate of 54.0%, compared to 9.1% of magistrates’ courts prosecutions and a conviction after contest rate of 62.1%.

Department for Education

Pupils: LGBT People

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure there are adequate levels of support in schools for LGBT+ pupils.

Nick Gibb: The public sector equality duty requires all schools to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations between lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) pupils and those who do not share those protected characteristics. It is up to schools to decide how to support LGBT pupils and the Government is taking steps to support them.Research shows that individuals who are, or are perceived to be, LGBT are disproportionately affected by bullying. That is why the Government Equalities Office is funding school programmes aimed at building schools’ knowledge and capacity to prevent and tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. The Government Equalities Office has also provided this guidance and links to support and services for LGBT individuals, including support for children and young people: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/advice-and-support-for-lgbt-people#children-and-young-people-up-to-the-age-of-19.The Department is developing a resource to help schools to create Respectful School Communities, which aims to reduce bullying behaviour both offline and online. This work will help schools deliver their equalities, behaviour, bullying and safeguarding duties in a way that minimises the burdens upon them. Sex and Relationship Education also helps to provide pupils with key knowledge and skills to ensure that they can develop healthy and positive relationships, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Schools

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he is taking steps to increase the availability of pastoral support in primary and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: It is for schools to decide what pastoral support to put in place, based on the needs of their pupils. Many schools build pastoral support around their relationships and health education provision.To support all schools to deliver high quality Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education, the Government is consulting on new statutory guidance and regulations for schools. Following this consultation, updated guidance and regulations will be laid in both houses for debate.In addition, the Government has provided guidance in several areas to enable schools to put pastoral support in place. ‘Preventing and Tackling Bullying’, which was updated in July 2017, provides links to sources of support for pastoral activity with different groups of pupils: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/623895/Preventing_and_tackling_bullying_advice.pdf.‘Counselling in Schools’ provides advice on how to set up high quality support for those experiencing problems: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counselling-in-schools.The ‘Peer Support for Children and Young People’s Mental Health’ programme is supporting schools to set up peer support programmes, engaging pupils as part of a whole school approach to pastoral support. The Department will share the evidence and impact of the programme nationally to help schools understand what is needed to establish and maintain good practice.

T-levels

Ben Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consultations his Department has held with teachers on the forthcoming T Levels qualifications.

Anne Milton: We ran a public consultation from 30 November 2017 to 8 February 2018 to obtain views on the major aspects of our proposals for implementing T Levels. This involved publishing our proposals online, alongside a survey for respondents to complete. The consultation generated 430 responses from a wide range of organisation types and individuals, including education institutions. We also held a series of 10 consultation events around the country, with over 500 people attending. We carefully reviewed all responses to the consultation and published a response in May, which is available online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/implementation-of-t-level-programmes.We have announced the providers who will deliver the first three T Levels from September 2020, and we will be working closely with the sector to design and develop a programme of support to help providers and teachers to prepare for the delivery of T Levels. This includes an investment of up to £20 million to help make sure teachers are ready to deliver new T Levels.

Mathematics: Teachers

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of teachers teaching maths (a) are qualified maths teachers and (b) hold a relevant post A level qualification for each type of 16-19 provider.

Nick Gibb: In 2017, there were 34,600 teachers of maths in state funded secondary schools. Of these, 78.0% of teachers had a relevant post A level qualification in mathematics or a related subject such as statistics. A relevant post A level qualification is defined as a first degree or higher, BEd degree, PGCE, Certificate of Education or another qualification at level 4 or above.These figures relate to all teachers in state funded secondary schools regardless of the age range of the school. Figures on the qualifications of teachers are not routinely broken down by the year group of the class taught.No separate figures are available for all 16-19 providers.

English Language: Teachers

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of teachers teaching English (a) are specialist English teachers and (b) hold a relevant post A level qualification for each type of 16-19 provider.

Nick Gibb: In 2017, there were 37,500 teachers of English in state funded secondary schools. Of these, 81.2% of teachers had a relevant post A level qualification in English or a related subject such as linguistics or language studies. A relevant post A level qualification is defined as a first degree or higher, BEd degree, PGCE, Certificate of Education or another qualification at Level 4 or above.These figures relate to all teachers in state funded secondary schools regardless of the age range of the school. Figures on the qualifications of teachers are not routinely broken down by the year group of the class taught. No separate figures are available for 16-19 providers.

Mathematics: Education

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds were exempt from the 16-18 maths progress measure because they are recorded as having (i) special educational needs and (ii) overseas qualifications equivalent to a GCSE grade C.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds were exempt from the 16-18 English progress measure because they are recorded as having (i) special educational needs and (ii) overseas qualifications equivalent to a GCSE grade C.

Nadhim Zahawi: The information requested is not held centrally.

Arts: GCSE

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to prepare young people for future jobs in the creative industries in the light of the decrease in the number of students taking GCSEs in arts subjects since 2014.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to prepare young people for future jobs in the engineering sector in light of the decrease in the number of students taking GCSE Design and Technology since 2014.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education,  what steps he is taking to prepare young people for future jobs in the digital industries in light of the decrease in the number of students taking GCSEs in computing and ICT since 2017.

Nick Gibb: The Department is committed to ensuring that young people are prepared for a range of careers including in the digital, engineering and creative industries. To prepare students for a broad range of careers it is important that they study a broad curriculum including the core academic subjects to the age of 16. Music, art and design, dance, drama, and design and technology are compulsory from the age of 5 to 14, and computing from the age of 5 to 16 in all maintained schools. Academies are also required to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, which Ofsted consider in their inspections. The Department has reformed GCSEs and A levels, including in arts subjects, design and technology and computer science, to ensure that they provide our students with the knowledge and skills to prepare them for further study, higher education and careers. The Department is also introducing new T Level programmes, which will give young people a high quality, technical alternative to A levels. They teach students the knowledge and practical skills that employers are looking for. The first T Levels in Education and Childcare, Digital, and Construction will be taught by a small number of providers from September 2020.

Children: Day Care

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the financial sustainability of childcare providers in the private, voluntary and independent early education sector.

Nadhim Zahawi: By 2019-20 we will be spending around £6 billion on childcare support – a record amount. This includes around £1 billion extra a year to deliver 30 hours of free childcare and fund the increase in hourly rates that we introduced in April 2017.Our average funding rates are based on the department’s ‘Review of Childcare Costs’ which was described as “thorough and wide ranging” by the National Audit Office. The review looked at both current and future cost pressures.The latest Ofsted data from March 2018 showed that the number of non-domestic providers has remained stable. We continue to monitor both the implementation of 30 hours and delivery costs. We have recently commissioned new research to provide us with further robust and detailed data of the costs of delivering childcare for under five-year-olds using a representative sample of early years providers.

Disabled Students' Allowances

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2018 to Question 161192 on disabled Students' Allowance, what statistics on the uptake of disabled students' allowance his Department records; and whether the uptake of that allowance has decreased since the introduction of the £200 contribution for computer equipment.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Statistics on the uptake of Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are collected and published as National Statistics by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The most recent figures, published in November 2017, show the uptake of the DSAs equipment allowance amongst full time undergraduate students domiciled in England fell from 28,000 in 2014/15 to 23,400 in 2015/16, the year the £200 contribution was introduced. The SLC National Statistics data are available at https://www.slc.co.uk/official-statistics/financial-support-awarded/england-higher-education.aspx.

T-levels

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing financial incentives for small businesses taking on T Levels work-placement students.

Anne Milton: We are supporting employers to deliver T level industry placements. We are investing nearly £60 million this year to build capacity across the sector to support the delivery of industry placements through the Capacity and Delivery Fund, with more funding announced from next year. This funding will enable providers to make it easier to organise and deliver placements to take away any burden from employers and help directly with costs to employers. The National Apprenticeship Service is also providing support and guidance for employers and we have published ‘how to’ guides to help make this as simple as possible for them. We will continue to review this support and we will be talking to all sized employers over the coming year to establish whether there are any gaps in support that we need to consider.

Pupil Exclusions: Special Educational Needs

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's document, Permanent and fixed-period exclusions in England: 2016 to 2017, if he will make an assessment of the reasons why pupils with SEN support have a permanent exclusion rate that is six times higher than the rate for pupils with no SEN; and if he will institute a specific programme for families of pupils with SEN to ensure that their children are given the most suitable means of advice and support following such expulsions.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department's document, Permanent and fixed-period exclusions in England: 2016 to 2017, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons why (a) Black Caribbean pupils had a permanent exclusion rate nearly three times higher than the school population as a whole, (b) pupils of Gypsy/Roma and Traveller of Irish Heritage ethnic groups had the highest rates of both permanent exclusions and (c) pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals accounted for 40 per cent of all permanent exclusions.

Nick Gibb: The Department’s statutory guidance on exclusions is clear that all schools should consider what extra support might be needed to identify and address the needs of children from groups with disproportionally high rates of exclusion, in order to reduce their risk of exclusion. This includes children with special education needs, Gypsy/Roma, Travellers of Irish Heritage and Black Caribbean pupils. Schools also have a clear legal duty not to discriminate against pupils under the Equality Act 2010. Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and parents, can access impartial information, advice and support from their local information, advice and support service, which local authorities are under a duty to provide. The Government announced in March that Edward Timpson CBE will lead a review of exclusions which will explore how head teachers use exclusion in practice, and why pupils with particular characteristics are more likely to be excluded from school. The review will aim to report by the end of the year.

Schools: Staff

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to increase staff retention rates in UK schools.

Nick Gibb: I refer the hon Member for Leeds North West to the answer I gave on 12 July 2018 to Question 162157.

Adoption

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the need for specific services designed to address the ongoing physiological damage of people affected by forced adoption.

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the debate of 12 July 2018 on forced adoption in the UK, Official Report, column 1187, whether the Government plans to make an apology for the practice of forced adoption in UK history.

Nadhim Zahawi: The government has expressed its deepest sympathy to all those affected by unacceptable adoption practices of the past by agencies run by the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church and the Salvation Army. We have also expressed our deep regret that legislation at the time was not robust enough to prevent what happened. Successive governments have since taken action to strengthen the legislative framework so that it cannot happen again. There is support for birth parents and adult adoptees who have mental health needs arising from past adoption practices. Mental health services are available through the NHS. In addition, many voluntary adoption agencies and adoption support agencies offer specialist birth family counselling, often under contract to local authorities.

Adoption

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he plans to take to ensure that records of adoptions are more easily accessible by relevant parties.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Adoption and Children Act 2002 introduced a process to help relevant parties access information on adoption records for those adopted on or after 30 December 2005. The legislation sets out that certain information relating to a person’s adoption must be kept. Once an adopted child reaches the age of 18, they can request this information from the adoption agency that placed them with their family. This will usually take the form of their permanence report. On receipt of such an application, an adoption agency will consider carefully how best to disclose this information since it will contain information about the child’s early life, some of which may be upsetting or distressing.Individuals who were adopted before 30 December 2005 may apply to the Registrar General for information to enable them to obtain a certified copy of their birth certificate. The Registrar General must inform the adopted person of the availability of counselling services (with a requirement to attend for those adopted before 12 November 1975) before the information can be provided.Further information is available in the Adoption Statutory Guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adoption-statutory-guidance-2013.

Child Minding and Pre-school Education: Standards

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) nursery classes in maintained schools, (c) private, independent and voluntary sector early years provision and (d) childminders are rated (i) inadequate, (ii) requires improvement, (iii) good and (iv) outstanding.

Nadhim Zahawi: This is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Social Services: Children

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the gap between demand and provision of social care services for disabled children and their families; what steps he is taking to address any such gap; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will establish a disabled children’s fund to improve early intervention services such as short breaks for disabled children.

Nadhim Zahawi: Working Together to Safeguard Children (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2) sets out how local authorities should provide effective, evidence-based services to protect and promote the welfare of children, including disabled children. The guidance was updated on July 4 2018 and states that it is better to provide services addressing needs early, rather than reacting later. The statutory duty to provide short breaks, introduced in 2011, falls on local authorities. In the transition up to 2015, £880 million was provided to local authorities; funding for short breaks is now is an un-ring-fenced part of the wider local government finance settlement. The 2015 Spending Review made available more than £200 billion until 2020 for councils to deliver the local services their communities want to see, including services for disabled children. In February, Parliament confirmed the 2018-19 settlement for local government which has provided a £1.3 billion increase in resources to local government over the next two years - £44.3 billion in 2017-18 to £45.6 billion in 2019-20. This recognises both the growing pressure on local government's services and higher-than-expected inflation levels. The Department for Education has committed almost £270 million since 2014 in addition to the core local government funding settlement, to help local authorities learn from what works and to support improvement in the children's social care sector. This includes £200 million for the Innovation Programme, which is funding the Ealing project to provide interventions in the form of therapeutic breaks, to disabled children and young people that reduce the risk of escalation, and provide long-term solutions to children and families. Learning from innovation projects is published on the Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme website (http://innovationcsc.co.uk).The government is conducting a review of the relative needs and resources of local authorities that will develop a robust, up-to-date approach to distributing funding across all local authorities in England at local government finance settlements, including for children’s services. To inform the review, the Department for Education and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government have jointly-commissioned a data research and collection project on cost and demand pressures for children’s services, to understand local authorities’ relative funding needs. We are working towards implementation in 2020-21, while keeping this date under review as our work progresses.

Children: Day Care

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the financial sustainability of childcare provision in the private, voluntary and independent early education sector.

Nadhim Zahawi: By 2019-20 we will be spending around £6 billion on childcare support – a record amount. This includes around £1 billion extra a year to deliver 30 hours of free childcare and fund the increase in hourly rates that we introduced in April 2017.Our average funding rates are based on the department’s ‘Review of Childcare Costs’ which was described as “thorough and wide ranging” by the National Audit Office. The review looked at both current and future cost pressures.The latest Ofsted data from March 2018 showed that the number of non-domestic providers has remained stable. We continue to monitor both the implementation of 30 hours and delivery costs. We have recently commissioned new research to provide us with further robust and detailed data of the costs of delivering childcare for under five-year-olds using a representative sample of early years providers.

Children: Day Care

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which local authorities have provided business rate relief to private, voluntary and independent childcare providers.

Nadhim Zahawi: The information requested is not held centrally. Local discounts are a matter for individual authorities.

Children: Day Care

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to increase recruitment and retention in the childcare sector.

Nadhim Zahawi: In March 2017, we published the Early Years Workforce Strategy which set out how government will work with the sector to help employers attract, retain and develop early years staff: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/596884/Workforce_strategy_02-03-2017.pdf.We have made good progress in delivering the commitments in the strategy. This includes consulting on new criteria to strengthen level 2 qualifications to ensure practitioners have a firm foundation to progress up to level 3 and beyond. We have also taken steps to improve careers advice by upskilling Department for Work and Pensions job coaches to update their knowledge on careers in the sector, and have supported the work of the Education and Employers Charity and Tinies Childcare to promote the sector through their careers and engagement activity in schools. Through a voluntary and community sector grant we have also funded the establishment of an online directory with information on early years training and qualifications.

Pupils: Cancer

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what in-school support is provided for children suffering from (a) bowel and (b) bladder cancer.

Nadhim Zahawi: In 2014, the government introduced a new duty on schools to support pupils with medical conditions and has published statutory guidance on this for schools and others to follow. The guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3. The guidance does not specify which medical conditions should be supported in schools. Instead, it focuses on the needs of each individual child and how their medical condition impacts on school life. It is clear that pupils at school with medical conditions should be properly supported so that they have full access to education. The guidance is clear that schools, local authorities, health professionals, commissioners and other support services should work together to ensure that children with medical conditions receive a full education. I met with the Health Conditions in Schools Alliance earlier this year, which includes representation from CLIC Sargent to discuss this. Schools also have duties under the Equalities Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments and not to discriminate against disabled children, including those with long-term health conditions, such as bowel and bladder cancer in relation to their access to education and associated services. Schools must make reasonable adjustments to their practices, procedures and policies to ensure that they are not putting those with long-term health problems at a disadvantage.

Ministry of Justice

Prisoners' Release

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of prisoners were released from each prison on a Friday in each year since 2010.

Edward Argar: The information requested is detailed in the table attached. Prisoners are released when they have a statutory entitlement to be released once they have reached their automatic release date, or are released on a discretionary basis by the Parole Board, the Secretary of State or through early release on Home Detention Curfew (HDC) by prison governors. If the automatic release date – which for the majority of prisoners is the half-way point in their sentence – falls on a weekend or Bank holiday, the law (Section 23(3) Criminal Justice Act 1961) requires the release to be brought forward to the first preceding working day. To defer the release date would mean holding the person unlawfully. The exception is where the sentence is 5 days or less. In such cases the law provides for release to be on the Saturday if the automatic release date falls on a weekend or Bank Holiday. Where appropriate, offenders may be released on temporary licence (ROTL) in the run up to their release to facilitate appointments for resettlement purposes and the Probation Service and Community Rehabilitation Companies provide support for offenders who are released on licence.



Table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 31.98 KB)

Reoffenders

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people released from each prison in each year since 2010 were subsequently recalled back into custody (a) within 12 months and (b) within a week.

Edward Argar: Information about the number of offenders recalled to custody is held centrally, but it is not possible to cross-reference the data with information held on national systems about offenders released, without incurring disproportionate costs. Public protection is our priority and recall is used to ensure that offenders on licence who present a high risk of harm to the public or are at risk of re-offending are returned to custody as quickly as possible. The HMI Probation Thematic Report on Enforcement and Recall, published in February 2018, concluded that: “In this inspection, we found almost all NPS and CRC recall decisions were good decisions, with the NPS particularly good at considering alternatives to recall beforehand.”

Remand in Custody

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been held on remand in prison for more than six months in each year since 2010.

Edward Argar: Information on the amount of time spent on remand, for individuals who were remanded in custody by the courts is not centrally held. The most recent published figures on remand can be found in the Criminal Justice Statistics 2017 report (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2017).

Sexual Offences

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of granting anonymity to female and male victims of image-based sexual abuse.

Edward Argar: We recognise that image-based sexual abuse, such as the behaviour criminalised by section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 2015, is a terrible abuse of trust, and that it may leave victims feeling humiliated and degraded. We do not consider, however, that it is necessary to extend to complainants in section 33 cases the automatic prohibition on identification that applies, exceptionally, to sexual offences under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992. In respect of a witness in any criminal case there is the possibility of applying to the courts for reporting restrictions to provide lifetime protection from being identified in the media; such restrictions will be considered if the quality of the witness’s evidence is likely to be diminished as a result of fear or distress at the possibility of being publicly identified. Special measures, such as giving evidence away from the court room or from behind a screen, are also available.

Prisons: Drugs

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the proportion of drugs smuggled into prisons by drones.

Edward Argar: Drones are one of a number of ways through which criminals attempt to bring contraband, such as drugs, into prisons. As a result, and because not every instance is detected, we cannot reliably estimate the proportion brought into prisons through drones. Our security counter-measures are targeted at every stage of these criminal enterprises. Last year we launched Operation Trenton, a specialist team of Prison Service and Police investigators, to work together to intercept drones and track down the criminals behind them. To date, there have been at least 30 convictions related to drone activity, with those sentenced serving a total of more than 100 years in prison. We are also putting in place physical counter-measure such as netting and providing prison-specific vulnerability assessments to those establishments that have experienced a high number of drone incursions.

Prisons: Telephones

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make it his policy to publishing in full the report into the pilot scheme which put phones into prison cells in a number of prisons.

Edward Argar: The Department is conducting research to evaluate the benefits of the in-cell telephony pilot, which is intended for publication in 2019.

Youth Custody Service

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many registered social workers with a background in (a) child protection and (b) children’s residential care are employed in the (i) Youth Custody Service and (ii) Youth Custody Service Placement Team.

Edward Argar: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Youth Justice Board

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list the Youth Justice Board publications concerned with safeguarding children in the secure estate commissioned and published in the last five years.

Edward Argar: Following the government’s youth justice reform programme, announced in December 2016, responsibility and accountability for Youth Justice custodial provision transferred from the Youth Justice Board (YJB) to the Youth Custody Service (YCS); a distinct arm of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The YCS assumed operational responsibility for the day to day running of youth secure services; including the youth secure estate (YSE), secure escorts, the placement of children remanded or sentenced to custody and the management of performance across the YSE, with effect from 1 September 2017. The YJB’s Safeguarding Statement, which is published online, outlines its ongoing commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in contact with the youth justice system, as well as supporting the youth justice sector in the delivery of their safeguarding duties. All of the YJB business and corporate plans published over the last five years are concerned with safeguarding children in the youth justice system; including those in the secure estate. Key YJB commissioned and published documents concerned with safeguarding children include the following: Children in Custody 2016–17: An analysis of 12–18-year-olds’ perceptions of their experiencesin secure training centres and young offender institutions which is available online athttps://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/11/6.3903_HMIP_Children-in-Custody-2016-17_FINAL_WEB_221117.pdf YJB Safeguarding Report April 2013 – March 2015 which is available online at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/486686/Safeguarding_Report.pdf Deaths of Children in Custody: Action Taken, Lessons Learnt (2014) which is available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/yjb-plan-to-prevent-deaths-of-children-in-custody Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint, safeguarding processes, governance arrangements, and roles and responsibilities (2015) which is available online athttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/456672/minimising-managing-physical-restraint.pdf

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements

Sir David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made on the UK’s ability to agree free trade deals while maintaining a common rulebook for all goods with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.

Graham Stuart: The proposals in the white paper “The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union” would ensure the UK has an independent trade policy. The UK would be able to secure trade deals with other countries, including the US.

Furs: Imports

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether it is his policy that the importation ban on cat and dog fur will be retained after the UK leaves the EU.

George Hollingbery: The ban on cat and dog fur as introduced by EU Regulation No 1523/2007 will be rolled over as part of the Withdrawal Bill.The Government has no plans to remove this ban once we leave the EU.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Initial Assessment of the UK National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of 15 June on a complaint against PwC, what assessment the Government has made reports of claims from PwC that it was not required to investigate whether Palestinian Authority funding was used to pay convicted terrorists.

George Hollingbery: Holding answer received on 25 July 2018



The UK National Contact Point has published its Initial Assessment of the complaint made by a UK NGO. This concluded that the issues raised in the complaint merit further examination. The Initial Assessment is not an indication of any wrongdoing by the respondent. The UK National Contact Point is now working with both parties to facilitate mediation on the issues raised. In line with its procedures, the NCP will not be expected to publish further information on the case until this stage of the process is complete and a Final Statement has been prepared.

Trade: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate he has made of the value of increased British business that will accrue as a result of the opening of the new office of his Department in Minneapolis in the US.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate he has made of the value of increased British business that will accrue as a result of the opening of the new office of his Department in Raleigh in the US.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate he has made of the value of increased British business that will accrue as a result of the opening of the new office of his Department in San Diego in the US.

George Hollingbery: The UK Government Offices (UKGOs) in Raleigh-Durham, Minneapolis-St Paul and San Diego were announced by my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade in July 2016 and opened in February 2017. Each office is staffed by one officer, recruited locally in the US on behalf of HMG.The locations were chosen because of their economic productivity and well-established research and development institutions and the three cities offer exciting opportunities for increased trade with and investment in the UK. The officers build relationships with key companies, politicians and educational centres and support wider HMG goals on economic reform, market access, innovation, and climate change. Along with the other UKGOs in Denver and Seattle, they contribute to the achievement of our overall trade and investment goals with the US.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Social Rented Housing: Electrical Safety

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment has he made of trend in compliance with electrical safety regulations in the social rented sector.

Kit Malthouse: The English Housing Survey includes information on the presence of five electrical safety features: modern PVC wiring, modern earthing, modern consumer unit casing, miniature circuit breakers and residual current devices. The latest English Housing Survey stock condition report was published 12 July this year and is available at- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-housing-survey-2016-stock-condition. The report finds that, in the social rented sector 25.2 per cent of homes did not have all five electrical safety features.The Government has been listening to social housing residents and landlords in a programme of visits across England to better understand the issues and concerns they have, including concerns around electrical safety.

Buildings: Insulation

Karen Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for the Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to require the removal of combustible cladding and insulation from (a) schools, (b) care homes and (c) hospitals.

Kit Malthouse: As of 12 July, 2018, fourteen publicly-owned buildings (including schools and hospitals) have failed large-scale system tests on their cladding systems. One building has now completed the remediation process, including removal and replacement of its aluminium composite material cladding. The other building owners are working with the relevant fire and rescue service and other specialists to consider remedial work, and are taking account of building users’ needs when they do so. We are not aware of any high-rise care homes with aluminium composite material cladding systems.We are working with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS Improvement and Department for Education to ensure that appropriate remediation steps are being taken on public buildings.

Fire Prevention: High Rise Flats

Karen Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the timetable is for (a) the remedial work on all high-rise buildings with combustible cladding and (b) the implementation of a ban on combustible cladding.

Kit Malthouse: The latest data available was published on 12 July 2018. Of the 159 social sector buildings that have combinations of Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding and insulation judged to have failed the large-scale tests 114 or 72 per cent have started the process of remediation. Of these, 13 buildings have finished remediation. Of the 301 private sector residential buildings with cladding systems that are unlikely to meet current Building Regulations guidance, local authorities have told us about plans for remediating 77 buildings. Of these, 23 buildings have started remediation, of which 4 have completed.A new minister-chaired taskforce has been established to oversee the remediation of private sector buildings with aluminium composite material cladding systems. The taskforce is charged with ensuring that remediation plans are put in place swiftly across all private sector buildings with aluminium composite material cladding systems, and addressing any barriers or identifying any additional support required to achieve this.The consultation on banning the use of combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings closes on 14 August. Consultation responses will be analysed over the summer, with the outcome of the consultation to follow.

Housing First: West Midlands

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of people who (a) have received and (b) will receive support through the Housing First scheme in (i) the West Midlands, (ii) Birmingham and (iii) Birmingham Northfield constituency.

Nigel Adams: The £28 million Housing First pilots will support around 1000 individuals over three years in the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and the Liverpool City Region. The first people to be helped will move into their homes from the Autumn. We will ensure that the pilots help those in the greatest need.

Social Rented Housing

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2018 to Question 155938 whether he has decided on a date for when the next steps will be set out.

Kit Malthouse: The Housing and Planning Act 2016 introduced changes to local authority tenancies by making it mandatory for most new council tenancies to be for a fixed term however this has not yet been implemented. Next steps will be set out shortly.

Houseboats: Security of Tenure

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has plans to bring forward legislative proposals for the regulation of security of tenure for residential boats.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The rights of a residential boat owner will depend on the terms of their agreement with the operator of the mooring. The Government has no plans to introduce legislation to regulate for security of tenure for residential houseboat owners.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Housing

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of houses rented by his Department have been unoccupied in each of the last five years; and how much rent his Department has paid for those houses in each of those years.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Holding answer received on 16 July 2018



The table below details how many and what proportion of houses rented by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, have been unoccupied. Financial YearRented Void %Total Rented Voids2013-201414%5,5042014-201519%7,4152015-201618%7,0852016-201719%7,4562017-201821%8,274  Exact rental figures on empty properties are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

NATO: Expenditure

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a breakdown of what the money spent pursuant to the the target of 2 per cent of GDP to be spent on defence has been spent on in the last five years; and how much and what proportion of that money was spent on pensions.

Gavin Williamson: The 2015 Spending Review continued the commitment to meet the NATO investment pledge to spend 2% of GDP on Defence for the rest of this decade. This is evaluated using the NATO definitions of Defence spending which the UK complies with fully. Details and figures on NATO Defence expenditures can be found at the following link: https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/pdf_2018_07/20180709_180710-pr2018-91-en.pdf The amount and proportion spent on pensions, by financial year (FY), is as follows: Currency Unit: £millionCategoryFY2013-14FY2014-15FY2015-16FY2016-17FY2017-18Pensions3,532.1723,615.5972,617.6552,515.5592,517.501Proportion of Total8.87%9.06%6.72%5.96%5.85% The UK complies with NATO’s definitions on defence spending.

Warships: Radar

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is assessing the feasibility of fitting the Australian CEAFAR radar on future British warships.

Stuart Andrew: The Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy, supported by their respective science and technology organisations (Dstl and Defence Science and Technology Group) completed a collaborative capability study this year into Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar technology (including CEAFAR). The study concluded that both Navies field world class Radar capabilities with exciting opportunities for science and technology collaboration.

Members: Correspondence

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Llanelli dated 28 June 2018 on his Department's plan to award the contract for the Defence Fire and Rescue Service to Capita.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Ministry of Defence aims to respond to correspondence from MPs within 20 working days. A response to the hon. Member is in progress.

HMS Ocean

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the final agreed price was for the sale of HMS Ocean to the Brazilian Government.

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the agreed payment schedule is for the purchase of HMS Ocean by the Brazilian Government.

Stuart Andrew: HMS Ocean was sold to the Brazilian Government for £84 million. The Payment Schedule is subject to review, dependent upon any work supporting the sale being carried out as planned and with the final payment to be adjusted to reflect the final docking costs.

Military Aircraft

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral contribution of 17 July 2018, Official Report, column 241, how many academics were consulted as part of the development of the Combat Air Strategy; and how many of those academics were women.

Stuart Andrew: A broad range of academic institutions were consulted during the development of the Combat Air Strategy, including Cranfield University, the Strategy and Security Unit at the University of Exeter, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (ISS), RAND Europe and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). Ministry of Defence officials had face to face consultations with 11 academics, three of whom were women.

Ministry of Defence: Departmental Responsibilities

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to appoint a new Minister for Defence Procurement.

Stuart Andrew: I was appointed by the Prime Minister on 19 July 2018.

NATO: Baltic States

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Estonia, (b) Latvia and (c) Lithuania on re-tasking of the NATO Baltic air-policing mission to an air defence posture mission.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK is committed to the security of the Baltic region, and has a close working relationship with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.NATO's deterrence and defence posture are constant themes during discussions between all Allies. Options for effective deployment of NATO forces are subject to review and development in response to the prevailing circumstances.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 79 of the July 2018 White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm 9593, whether he has estimated the number of UK armed forces personnel that will be required to host an Operational Headquarters.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The White Paper published in July includes a UK offer to host an EU Operational Headquarters (OHQ) after Brexit but the text of the Withdrawal Agreement, agreed at the 2018 March European Council, states that the UK cannot host an EU OHQ during the Implementation Period. Longer term arrangements with the EU are subject to negotiations, and no estimate has been made of any potential UK contribution to an EU OHQ whether in the UK or elsewhere.

Defence Equipment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure the Defence equipment plan is affordable.

Stuart Andrew: We are committed to delivering large, complex and technologically challenging defence programmes to give our military the very best equipment. We recognise the financial risks in the equipment plan and are working to incorporate the recommendations of the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee's reviews of the Equipment Plan 2017 into our management of the Plan. Going forward, the Modernising Defence Programme aims to deliver better military capability and value for money in a sustainable and affordable way.

Defence Equipment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of his Department's ability to make the remaining £8.1 billion saving from its equipment plan by 2027.

Stuart Andrew: As the National Audit Office reported in January 2018, the Department had achieved £7.9 billion of a £16 billion savings target between 2010 and 2027, and had also identified potential savings to meet all but £0.5 billion of the remaining £8.1 billion over the next nine years. As such, we remain confident and committed to delivering this as agreed, and will report on progress in the Equipment Plan 2018 financial summary due to be published in the autumn.

Aircraft Carriers

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the ability of his Department to deliver the re-baselined cost of £6.2 billion for production of the two new aircraft carriers.

Stuart Andrew: The Ministry of Defence keeps costs within the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier programme under very close scrutiny. The final cost of the programme will be subject to commercial negotiations with the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. The overall impact will only be clear once we have concluded our talks.

Military Bases: Repairs and Maintenance

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to tackle the backlog in maintenance work on the defence estate.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Since April 2018, Ministry of Defence Top Level Budget Holders are responsible for allocating and prioritising funding, in line with the wider delegation of responsibilities over recent years. This enables them to tackle the backlog in a way that is prioritised according to need.

Military Bases: Sales

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on realising £1 billion of savings between 2016-17 and 2020-21 as a result of sales of the MoD estate.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To date disposals to the value of £373 million have been achieved, and we are on track to realise £1 billion of receipts from the sales of Ministry of Defence estate.

Armed Forces: Housing

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking in improve satisfaction rates for Service Family Accommodation.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: In the last year the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude survey showed an increase in satisfaction with Service Family Accommodation. The Ministry of Defence continues to invest in improving the condition of properties and provides an efficient and effective maintenance and repair service enhancing the lived experience of occupants.

Armed Forces: Job Satisfaction

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how his Department plans to respond to the results of the Armed Forces continuous attitude survey that only 40 per cent of regular personnel are satisfied with service life.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The 2018 Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) demonstrates that 55% of personnel are satisfied with their job in general and 47% are satisfied with the sense of achievement they get from their work.The management of morale in the Armed Forces is a high priority for Defence. The Department seeks to measure morale in a robust, consistent and scientific manner, through forums such as the AFCAS.We have launched the Armed Forces Families Strategy and the Armed Forces Covenant to improve the Service Offer and lived experience of Service personnel. We are also developing a number of other initiatives under the Armed Forces People Programme which is focused on modernising the employment offer for Service personnel to allow us to attract and retain the right mix of people and skills.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to assist households facing financial difficulties as a result of benefit sanctions.

Alok Sharma: Sanctions are only used in a minority of cases, when people fail to meet their conditionality requirements without good reason. When considering whether a sanction is appropriate, a Decision Maker will take all the claimant’s individual circumstances, including any health conditions or disabilities and any evidence of good reason, into account before deciding whether a sanction is warranted We have a well-established system of hardship payments, available as a safeguard if a claimant demonstrates that they cannot meet their immediate and most essential needs, including accommodation, heating, food and hygiene, as a result of their sanction. Additionally, claimants on legacy benefits will continue to receive passported benefits, such as Housing Benefits, when they are sanctioned. Similarly, in Universal Credit, claimants will continue to receive other elements they are entitled to, such as the housing and children element.

Universal Credit

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to assist households facing financial difficulties as a result of errors or delays in the roll-out of universal credit.

Alok Sharma: The Department’s rollout of Universal Credit Full Service is going to plan and is due to complete nationally in December 2018. As of the end of July 2018 we will have completed 65% of this programme, with nearly 400,000 new claimants added onto the system since August 2017. Where amendments to the rollout schedule have been announced (as on 22 March in Written Statement HCWS577, or following the November 2017 Budget), these reflect local considerations and discussions, or policy changes to Universal Credit. The policy changes announced following the November 2017 Budget, included: from 3 January, increasing the repayment period of Universal Credit advances to 12 months, with claimants able to get up to 100 per cent of their estimated monthly entitlement upfront. These advances are available to claimants interest-free, and from July 2018, can be applied for online.from 14 February, removing the seven-day waiting period that some claimants had at the start of their Universal Credit claim.from 11 April, providing an additional payment for claimants already receiving support towards their housing costs of two weeks of their Housing Benefit to support them as they transfer onto Universal Credit. Claimants will not be required to repay this money. Universal Credit is continuously improved in line with our test and learn approach and DWP continues to work closely with landlords, local authorities and other organisations to ensure claimants are supported throughout the assessment process. The Department provides funding for local authorities and other partner organisations to help claimants with the transition to Universal Credit through Universal Support. This is help for those who need assistance to manage their claim online and/or help with budgeting in order to manage their monthly payments and prioritise essential bills such as rent and utilities. Further information can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-support. In common with other DWP benefits, in cases where a customer is affected by Departmental error, we can also consider awarding an ex-gratia payment, as set out in the guide on Financial Redress for Maladministration.

Universal Credit: Glasgow South West

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the longest number of days is a universal credit claimant in Glasgow South West has had to wait before receiving their initial payment.

Alok Sharma: The Department’s data on Universal Credit payment timeliness is not currently available for publication by area or region.The latest statistics on timeliness of payment for new claims to Universal Credit were published on 9 July 2018, and can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/length-of-payment-delays-for-new-claims-to-universal-creditAround 80 per cent of new claims are paid in full and on time. In many cases, where full payment is not made on time by the end of the first assessment period, this is as a result of unresolved issues such as: some claimants have not signed their Claimant Commitment or passed identity checks, and the others have outstanding verification issues, such as for housing and self-employed earnings. Whilst this verification is on-going, many of these claimants receive a part payment for those elements of the claim that have been resolved.

Universal Credit: Glasgow

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with housing associations in (a) Glasgow South West constituency and (b) Glasgow on access to information by those associations from the Landlord Portal for universal credit claimants; and if she will make a statement.

Alok Sharma: In Glasgow and the surrounding area, Universal Credit Account Managers have engaged extensively with the Wheatley Group and enrolled six of their landlords onto the Landlord Portal: Loretto Housing, Glasgow Housing Association, Cube Housing Association, Dunedin Canmore, Barony Housing Association, and, West Lothian Housing Partnership. We are continuing in our efforts to identify and enrol suitable landlords onto the portal between now and December 2018.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of claimants of (a) employment support allowance and (b) personal independence payment that were refused an assessment as a result of abusive behaviour that did not subsequently complete an application.

Sarah Newton: No claimant is refused the opportunity of having an assessment as a result of abusive behaviour. However, if during an assessment a claimant does not cooperate, for example by being abusive, then the assessment can/may be terminated

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employment support allowance and personal independence payment claimants have been denied home visits by the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments because of previous abusive behaviour in each year since 2010.

Sarah Newton: The information requested is not available

Employment: Low Incomes

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what strategies the Government has put in place to tackle in-work poverty.

Alok Sharma: Universal Credit is replacing six key in-work and out-of-work benefits and is transforming the welfare system by making work pay. In Universal Credit, there are none of the cliff edges or complicated hours rules of the old system, just a single, simple, taper so payments reduce in a transparent, predictable and clearer way as earnings increase. Universal Credit provides the opportunity to support people to progress in work and we are currently developing the evidence base on how best to do this. Building on our existing suite of trials, which includes a large scale Randomised Control Trial on in-work progression, we have committed an additional £8m to testing different approaches to supporting people to progress. The Government is also providing additional support for working families so we have increased childcare funding from 70% of eligible costs in Tax Credits to 85% in Universal Credit.

Employment and Support Allowance

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Written Statement of 15 March 2018, HCWS549 on employment and support allowance, how many claimants have been sent an ESA3 change of circumstances form; how many claimants have returned that form; how many claimants have had their claim reassessed; and how many claimants have received backdated payments.

Sarah Newton: The figures presented are based on DWP management information and are reported with only high level verification. The figures provided have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Number of claimants who have been sent an ESA3 change of circumstances form15,000ESA3s returned by post7,000ESA3s completed by telephone, plus a small number completed by visit6,000Claimants who have had their claim reassessed10,000Claimants who have received back-dated payments8,000

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of (a) employment support allowance, (b) universal credit and (c) jobseeker's allowance in Scotland with a declared mental health problem have been subject to a benefits sanction since 2015.

Alok Sharma: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. We engage at a personal and individual level with all of our claimants and are committed to tailoring the support that we give, and any conditionality requirements to the specific circumstances of the individuals. We take a number of steps to make sure our decisions are fair. When considering whether a sanction is appropriate, a Decision Maker will take all the claimant’s individual circumstances, including any health conditions or disabilities and any evidence of good reason, into account before deciding whether a sanction is warranted.

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Paul Girvan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average cost per applicant is for her Department of an appeal against an initial refusal to grant a personal independence payment.

Sarah Newton: This information is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water Charges

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that water companies do not charge clients for surface water drainage that does not go into the sewer network.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Government charging guidance to Ofwat covers the charges that incumbent water and sewerage companies set for customers. Under this guidance, customers who can demonstrate to their water company that their surface water does not drain into the public sewer network are entitled to a surface water drainage rebate. Companies are required to offer discounts in these circumstances. Customers can find the levels of rebate in their sewerage company’s charges scheme.   Ofwat can take action against companies who are not applying their charging rules correctly. Customers may also seek advice from the Consumer Council for Water, who can also help customers who wish to make a complaint about water company charges.

Nappies: Waste Disposal

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to support the use of reusable nappies and their effect on removing plastics from the residual waste stream.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government is determined to achieve zero avoidable plastic waste and will set out our policies and proposed actions in our Resources and Waste Strategy published later this year. To inform this, Defra officials have recently met the Nappy Alliance which supports the use of reusable nappies, and I have met with Proctor & Gamble to learn about their disposable nappy recycling technology.

Plastics: Exports

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's monitoring of the disposal of plastic exported to China for recycling.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Businesses involved in the shipment of wastes are required to take all necessary steps to ensure that the waste they ship is managed in an environmentally sound manner throughout its shipment and during its recycling.   The UK environmental regulators take an intelligence-led approach to checking compliance with these obligations, focusing on specific problematic wastes. The regulators intervene at source to stop illegal exports taking place. Enforcement activity also occurs in transit, at roadsides and at ports.   Last year the Environment Agency issued 130 stop notices prohibiting the export of unsuitable waste. It also stopped 4,565 tonnes of waste destined for illegal export at ports and intervened further upstream to prevent a further 15,113 tonnes of waste from reaching ports. This work ensures we are not exporting our problem wastes for unsuitable treatment or disposal.   There is a system of international rules on waste shipments which must be followed by both Chinese and UK authorities to ultimately ensure the environmentally sound management of waste.   Our ambition is to handle more of our waste in the UK. While there has been a significant increase in recycling over the last 10 years, there is more that needs to be done and we will set out proposals in our forthcoming Waste and Resources Strategy.

Hare Coursing: Lincolnshire

Mr John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on tackling hare coursing in Lincolnshire.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The enforcement of the Hunting Act 2004 is an operational matter for the police. Enforcement is ultimately a decision for individual chief officers. Local forces will determine how and in what manner they will respond to hunting issues, depending on the resources available. The Government is therefore not in a position to comment on the progress made on tackling hare coursing in Lincolnshire.

Plastics: Recycling

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the volume of non-recyclable plastic produced in the UK in each of the last five years.

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the volume of non-recyclable plastic sent to landfill in each of the last five years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Defra has not made an estimate of the volume of non-recyclable plastic produced in the UK. It is not possible to reliably estimate the volume of non-recyclable plastic sent to landfill, because large tonnages of landfilled waste are reported as “mixed” waste categories for which we do not have up to date waste composition data to derive estimates for plastic. The main source of plastic waste arisings in the UK, however, is packaging which accounted for around 60% of total plastics arisings in 2014. From information collected under producer responsibility obligations for packaging, the recycling rate for UK plastic packaging is around 40%.

Dogs: Litter

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the growth of bacteria in water as a result of dog fouling.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: For drinking water, sources are generally protected from any animal access, and where this is not possible, water companies use a multi-barrier approach, including treatment and disinfection to make sure the water is safe.   For bathing water, the 25 Year Environment Plan sets out our commitment to minimise by 2030 the harmful bacteria in our designated bathing waters and to continue to improve the cleanliness of our waters. The Environment Agency (EA) investigates if a bathing water is classified as poor or is deteriorating and works with local authority and other stakeholders to take appropriate measures to reduce pollution.   In addition, local councils have a duty to ensure that public areas are kept clear of litter and refuse. This includes removing dog faeces from certain types of land, including parks, picnic and recreation areas, car parks, pedestrianised shopping streets, and certain leisure beaches and promenades.

Home Office

Criminal Proceedings

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons why the number of criminal charges in England and Wales reduced by 11 per cent while the number of recorded crimes rose by 21 per cent between 2014 and 2017; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Nick Hurd: The likelihood of a crime resulting in a charge can vary for a number of reasons, including the complexity or severity of an offence or the difficulty in identifying a suspect.Changes in charge rates are likely to be the result of a combination of improved crime recording by the police and forces taking on more complex crimes which take longer to receive an outcome, such as domestic abuse or sexual offences.The statistics show that there has been a societal shift towards victims reporting ‘hidden’ crimes to the police and we welcome that more victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence are feeling empowered to come forward.We recognise that demand on the police is changing. We have responded positively by providing a strong and comprehensive settlement that is increasing total investment in the police system by over £460m in 2018/19. This includes £50m for Counter-Terrorism, £130m for national priorities and £280m in force funding from increases in Council Tax precept income.

Home Office: Written Questions

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans to respond to Question 146839, on criminal proceedings, tabled by the hon. Member for Scunthorpe 22 May 2018.

Mr Nick Hurd: The response for UIN 146839 was given on the 25th July 2018.

Iron Mountain (UK)

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's contract with Iron Mountain.

Victoria Atkins: In complying with the Governments transparency agenda, the Home Office will be publishing a redacted version of the Iron Mountain contract to Contracts Finder within the next 4 weeks.The contract awarded to Iron Mountain for Record Management services predates the launch of this current version of Contracts Finder though summary detail has been published for transparency purposes and can be found at https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5e36782a-b120-4781-aae6-e907315836a2?p=@8=UFQxUlRRPT0=NjJNT0.

Animal Experiments

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government is seeking continued access to the European Union Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing after the UK has left the EU.

Mr Ben Wallace: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 24 July 2018.The correct answer should have been:

Border Force delivery against Service Level Agreements, along with other performance indicators, is kept under constant review. Border Force seeks to provide an effective service at the border by achieving the right balance in its contribution to both the security and prosperity of the UK; objectives considered as complimentary and mutually supportive.The Government is open to working with partners to enhance Border Force capability, whether that is through better targeted interventions, or improved service standards.As part of the negotiations the UK will discuss with the EU how best to continue cooperation in the important field of non-animal alternatives in scientific research.Following the UK exiting the EU, UK legislation will fully retain the current requirement for the replacement of animal tests where practicable and the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).

Caroline Nokes: Border Force delivery against Service Level Agreements, along with other performance indicators, is kept under constant review. Border Force seeks to provide an effective service at the border by achieving the right balance in its contribution to both the security and prosperity of the UK; objectives considered as complimentary and mutually supportive.The Government is open to working with partners to enhance Border Force capability, whether that is through better targeted interventions, or improved service standards.As part of the negotiations the UK will discuss with the EU how best to continue cooperation in the important field of non-animal alternatives in scientific research.Following the UK exiting the EU, UK legislation will fully retain the current requirement for the replacement of animal tests where practicable and the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).

Department of Health and Social Care

Obesity: Young People

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland on tackling obesity among young people.

Steve Brine: Officials in the Department have regular discussions with their counterparts in Northern Ireland on improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people, including on tackling obesity. Discussions include domestic strategies and the delivery of United Kingdom-wide measures in our childhood obesity plan, such as the soft drinks industry levy and advertising restrictions.

Poverty: Life Expectancy

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health of 18 April 2018, Official Report, column 190WH, on Austerity: Life Expectancy, if he will publish the evidence referred to relating to other European countries.

Steve Brine: Chapter Four of The Health Profile for England, published in July 2017, presents data comparing the life expectancy for the United Kingdom with that of other European countries for 2015. Chapter 4: European comparisons is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-profile-for-england/chapter-4-european-comparisons

National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the role of the National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine in Sheffield in the future of the NHS.

Steve Brine: The Department will not be making any assessment of the role of the National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) in the future of the National Health Service. The Department provided a capital grant to establish the NCSEM in 2013. Upon its establishment, Public Health England inherited the oversight of the capital funding spend on behalf of the Government. This formal role ended upon completion of the final works in 2016.

NHS: Clinics

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of clinical appointments provided at the NHS clinics co-located on the sites of the National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine in Sheffield in each of the last five years.

Stephen Barclay: No estimation of appointments at the National Health Service clinics co-located on the sites of the National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine in Sheffield for the last five years has been made. Activity data surrounding appointments is routinely captured within Hospital Episode Statistics at a trust level rather by individual site.

Speech and Language Disorders: Children

Rebecca Pow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the 2018 report by ICAN, Bercow: Ten Years On, what plans he has to make sure that the special interest group convened by Public Health England to identify key mental health prevention evidence and its relevance to practice and to highlight gaps and make recommendations for these to be addressed through further research includes an expert in speech, language and communication and the links with mental health.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Public Health England (PHE) welcomes the Bercow Ten Years On Report and is working towards the recommendations for PHE. The Special Interest Group will meet for the first time on 25 July with representation from research/ academia, Government Departments, arm’s length bodies, local commissioners, public health professionals and young people. The aim of the Special Interest Group will be to identify the best evidence for improving public mental health and reducing inequalities in children and young people in England. The terms of reference and membership will be discussed at the first meeting and PHE will draw on expertise from a speech, language and communications expert to inform this work.

Eating Disorders

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report, Ignoring the alarms: How NHS eating disorder services are failing patients, published by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in December 2018, what progress (a) his Department and (b) NHS England have made on reviewing the existing (i) quality and (ii) availability of adult eating disorder services to achieve parity with child and adolescent services.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government takes seriously the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (PSHO) report: “Ignoring the alarms: how NHS eating disorder services are failing patients”. NHS England and NHS Improvement are committed to meet the PSHO’s recommendations. Commencing in March 2018, the National Clinical Director for Mental Health, Professor Tim Kendall was asked by the NHS England Board to establish a working group with other arm’s length bodies named in the PHSO report to help oversee and co-ordinate actions being taken to implement the recommendations. The national review of adult eating disorder services that NHS England commissioned in 2017 is now complete. Data collected on activity, investment and workforce is being reviewed with stakeholders to inform NHS England’s understanding of current provision and existing levels of parity with eating disorder services for children and young people. The data will inform modelling to understand the finance and workforce gaps to achieving greater levels of parity. NHS England will work with the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Quality Improvement and Accreditation Networks, specifically the Quality Eating Disorder Network, to help embed recommendations in service standards used to review the quality of care delivered in eating disorder services. NHS Improvement has completed an engagement programme to inform a review of the Serious Incident Framework for the National Health Service. Further information about the engagement programme is available on NHS Improvement’s website at the following link: https://improvement.nhs.uk/resources/future-of-patient-safety-investigation/ NHS England is working closely with NHS Improvement to analyse responses from the engagement programme and will give particular consideration to how the different parts of the system can be brought together to improve the way incidents that are complex and/or involve multiple providers are investigated.

Diabetes

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether steps are being taken to improve the uptake of structured diabetes education in the (a) NHS Kernow CCG area and (b) throughout England; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Brine: NHS England has invested £10.5 million transformation funding in 2018/19, and a similar amount in 2017/18 to provide approximately 96,000 additional structured education places in 137 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). It has also invested in dedicated diabetes roles in NHS England regional teams and clinical networks to support CCGs, including Kernow CCG, in expanding the availability and take-up of structured education. Helping people to recognise the risks of developing diabetes and encouraging them to take action to reduce those risks is one of the key priorities for Shaping Our Future, our sustainability and transformation plan. In recognition of this, Kernow CCG is commissioning structured education for people newly-diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, through the Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed (DESMOND) programme. The programme is a six-hour course designed to help people gain an understanding of the condition and provide practical skills to manage it effectively. The course is due to start in September 2018 and people will be asked by their general practitioner if they would like to be referred.

Health Services: Digital Technology

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what models for the reimbursement of providers of digital health solutions he is assessing in order to increase the availability of such solutions.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Department welcomes the variety of digital health solutions being developed for patients and the public along with the innovation in their commercial models. We are keen to increase their use to improve health and care more quickly. Health and social care organisations are able to choose digital health solutions that meet their needs, subject to national standards/frameworks. NHS England has advised that it is working with partners, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Academic Health Science Networks to consider options on who should pay for digital health solutions at national, regional or local levels, including options for reimbursement, taking into account the product’s clinical safety, economic effectiveness and cost to the National Health Service.

NHS: Digital Technology

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether plans are in place to (a) enhance and (b) expand the NHS Apps Library; and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS Digital has advised that the NHS Apps Library has now grown to 72 health apps and digital tools with new apps and tools being added each month. NHS Digital is currently consulting with patient groups as well as health and social care professionals to further enhance the Library and will be launching an updated version in the autumn with more enhancements to follow.

NHS: Digital Technology

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether guidance is available to GPs to enable them effectively to direct patients to the NHS Apps Library; and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS England has advised that, as part of the NHS Apps Library programme’s next piece of work, the programme team will be providing advice for healthcare professionals generally, including general practitioners, on how to navigate and engage with the NHS Apps Library. As part of the wider approach to uptake and use of digital health services, the programme team will also be focusing on general practitioner engagement, testing different methods to support general practice through NHS England’s implementation teams which are already established and working in the primary care system.

Chronic Illnesses

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to increase the use of digital coaching and support for people to manage long term conditions such as diabetes; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Brine: NHS England is promoting new digital resources, which are aimed at people living with type 1 diabetes. These will focus on empowering people to self-manage their condition. Individuals visiting the site will be able to access remote personalised digital education content from Diabetes UK and an on-line education programme developed by Bournemouth Diabetes Centre. As part of re-procuring the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme Provider Framework, NHS England are planning to incorporate scope to deliver digital prevention services, which will expand the range of options for supporting people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. There are currently 10 diabetes apps that have been through the NHS App Assessment process and are publicly available on the NHS Apps Library. The diabetes section of the NHS Apps Library is due to continue to grow.

Orkambi

Ben Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Vertex and (b) NHS England on access to Orkambi on the NHS.

Steve Brine: It is the responsibility of NHS England, not the Government, to work together with Vertex to secure the best outcome for patients and a price for Orkambi that is fair and responsible. I and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Lord O’Shaughnessy) wrote to Vertex in April, urging it to commit to pricing that is responsible and proportionate. I also re-iterated this message in the adjournment debate on 17 July, Official Report, columns 383-4.

Radiology

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle variations in radiology reporting timescales.

Stephen Barclay: The Care Quality Commission’s recent report on radiology services in England recommends that National Health Service trust boards should ensure that they have effective oversight of any backlog of radiology reports; risks to patients are fully assessed and managed; and staffing and other resources are used effectively to ensure examinations are reported in an appropriate timeframe. It also recommends that the National Imaging Optimisation Delivery Board should advise on national standards for report turnaround times, so that trusts can monitor and benchmark their performance, and that the Royal College of Radiologists and the Society and College of Radiographers should make sure that clear frameworks are developed to support trusts in managing turnaround times safely. NHS Improvement is overseeing the NHS’s response to the report and its recommendations and providing support to providers. Some of the other recommendations fall to the relevant professional societies, and the Department is supporting them, where helpful, to meet those recommendations. Alongside its partners, NHS Improvement will support the National Imaging Optimisation Delivery Board to advise on national standards for report turnaround times so that trusts can monitor and benchmark performance. Through its Operational Productivity programme, NHS Improvement will also continue to support trusts to improve their imaging services, ensuring that all patients have access to safe and efficient care.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will pause the imposition of NHS benefit eligibility check (BECs) prescription penalty charge notices on disabled and unwell people who have been mistakenly awarded contribution-based employment and support allowance instead of income-based employment and support allowance.

Steve Brine: Eligibility checks are carried out on claims received by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) for exemption from dental patient charges and National Health Service prescription charges. The checks are carried out through separate services within the NHS BSA, for dental patient charges the process is Benefit Eligibility Checking Service and for prescriptions it is the Prescription Eligibility Checking Service. For both dental charges and prescriptions, where a patient claims exemption but the NHS BSA checks do not show entitlement, the NHS BSA will issue a penalty notice. However, if the patient or the Department of Work and Pensions later provide evidence that the Department of Work and Pensions made an incorrect assessment and the individual was in fact entitled to a qualifying benefit then the NHS BSA will remove all charges. There are no current plans to change this approach in regard to the current issue the Department of Work and Pensions have identified but NHS BSA will keep the situation under review.

Ministry of AYUSH

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will hold discussions with the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy in India on those therapies; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Brine: The Department has no plans to hold any such discussions and does not maintain a position on any particular complementary or alternative medicine treatments.

Listeria Monocytogenes

Sandy Martin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that food products which are contaminated with listeria are more easily identified and prevented from being put on sale to the public.

Steve Brine: A range of measures operate to minimise the risk of consumers eating food products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Legislation provides measures to be taken by food manufactures producing specific food products. This includes product safety testing. Local authorities also undertake sampling to detect non-compliant products. Risk assessment and risk management capabilities, including removal of contaminated food products from the market, also operate. The Food Standards Agency also issues advice to those most at risk from Listeriosis on foods that due to their inherent risk and the probability of contamination with Listeria should be avoided.

Veterans: Mental Health Services

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that former armed forces personnel are able to access metal health services.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Veterans on average have very similar mental health needs to the general population. Most services used by veterans are provided by mainstream NHS services, often without their veteran status being disclosed. However, additional bespoke services have been provided in England to meet service related needs. In 2017 NHS England launched the Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILs) which increases access and treatment to appropriate and timely mental health services for both armed forces serving personnel approaching discharge and veterans with mental health difficulties. NHS England also launched the Veterans Mental Health Complex Treatment Service in April 2018, which builds on the launch of TILs and provides an enhanced service for veterans who have military-attributable complex mental health problems that have not been resolved earlier in the care/support pathway.

Disability: Health Services

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the gap between demand and funding for health services for disabled children and their families; what steps he is taking to address any such gap; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will establish a disabled children’s fund to improve health services for disabled children.

Caroline Dinenage: The commissioning of health and social care services for children with disabilities is the responsibility of clinical commissioning groups and local authorities respectively. Local commissioners are best placed to assess the needs of the local population, and to mitigate any shortfalls. In 2014, the Government introduced a new statutory framework requiring local authorities and clinical commissioning groups to commission jointly services for children with special educational needs and disability, across health, social care and education. Since 2014, £327 million has been given to local areas to support implementation of these new arrangements, in addition to the high needs budget for placements for pupils with complex special educational needs which is £6 billion this year, the highest it has ever been. Every local area’s arrangements are being inspected jointly by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, in addition to their role inspecting providers. There are no plans to establish a disabled children’s fund. Funding for the National Health Service will grow on average by 3.4% in real terms each year from 2019/20 to 2023/24; by 2023/24 the NHS budget will increase by over £20 billion a year in real terms compared with today.

Malnutrition: Older People

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many pensioners were admitted to hospital with malnutrition in (a) Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and (b) East Lancashire NHS Foundation Trust in the last 12 months.

Steve Brine: NHS Digital has provided a count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 for patients aged 60 years and over with a primary or secondary diagnosis2 of malnutrition3 to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and East Lancashire NHS Foundation Trust4 in 2016/175. This information is provided in the following table. Hospital providerFAEsRXNLancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust20RXREast Lancashire NHS Foundation Trust12Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS Digital Notes: A FAE is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. The number of episodes where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a HES record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record. ICD-10 codingMalnutrition:E40 KwashiorkorE41 Nutritional marasmusE42 Marasmic kwashiorkorE43 Unspecified severe protein-energy malnutritionE44 Protein-energy malnutrition of moderate and mild degreeE45 Retarded development following protein-energy malnutritionE46 Unspecified protein-energy malnutritionO25 Malnutrition in pregnancyThe presence of an ICD-10 code of malnutrition on the admission episode indicates that the patient was diagnosed with, and would therefore being treated for malnutrition during the episode of care. The cause of malnutrition is not presented here but may be due to dietary issues, an inability to absorb nutrients normally or another disease affecting the patient’s ability to feed normally. A provider code is a unique code that identifies an organisation acting as a health care provider (e.g. National Health Service trust or primary care trust). Data from some independent sector providers, where the onus for arrangement of dataflows is on the commissioner, may be missing. Care must be taken when using this data as the counts may be lower than true figures. HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Conversely, apparent increases in activity may be due to improved recording of diagnosis or procedure information.  It should be noted that HES include activity ending in the year in question and run from April to March, e.g. 2012-13 includes activity ending between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013.

Incontinence: Health Services

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Department for Health has plans to introduce a National Incontinence Strategy.

Steve Brine: NHS England will shortly publish new Excellence in Continence guidelines that have been produced by a national group. The purpose of the guideline is to provide clinical commissioning groups with a strategic document to enhance the commissioning of continence services.

General Practitioners: Waiting Lists

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what target his Department has set for receiving a GP appointment; and what the average waiting time is for a GP appointment in (a) England and (b) Gloucestershire in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Steve Brine: The average waiting time for a general practitioner (GP) appointment is not collected or held centrally. In the 2017 GP patient survey 70.8% of respondents (who could remember whether or not they were able to get an appointment, and when they wanted the appointment) stated they saw or spoke to someone at a time they wanted to or sooner. NHS England is working with NHS Digital to consider ways of improving the availability and quality of GP data, including waiting times data.

Nurses: Gloucestershire

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many nurses were employed by NHS Trusts in Gloucestershire in the last financial year; and how many nurses (a) left and (b) retired in that time period.

Stephen Barclay: NHS Digital publishes Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) workforce statistics. These include staff working in hospital trusts and clinical commissioning groups, but not staff working in primary care or in general practitioner surgeries, local authorities or other providers. As at March 2018, there are 2,433 full time equivalent (FTE) nurses and health visitors employed in National Health Service trusts in Gloucestershire, 22 FTE more than in March 2017. The following table shows how many nurses and health visitors were employed by NHS Trusts in Gloucestershire and how many left and specified retirement as their reason for leaving within the last financial year, headcount. 31 March 2017 – 31 March 2018Joiners394Leavers, of which375Leavers due to retirement reasons69Source: NHS Digital, NHS HCHS workforce statistics. Gloucestershire NHS Trusts include Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust and Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

NHS: Foreign Nationals

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many foreign nationals from (a) EU and (b) non-EU countries are employed by Gloucestershire’s NHS Trusts.

Stephen Barclay: NHS Digital publishes Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) workforce statistics and the following table shows all staff employed in Gloucestershire’s National Health Service trusts by nationality, as at 31 March 2018, headcount. HeadcountAll nationalities10,129of which:United Kingdom6,031European Union (excluding UK)284European Economic Area2Rest of the World285Unknown3,529Source: NHS HCHS monthly workforce statistics, NHS Digital There are over 3,500 unknown NHS staff records in Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust and Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with people choosing not to specify their nationality or not asked to. Nationality is self-reported and may be a reflection of cultural heritage rather than country of birth.

Carers

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has to increase support for unpaid carers.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government is committed to continuing to support informal carers, and to do so in a way that supports their own health and wellbeing, employment and other life chances. That is why, on 5 June, the Department published a cross-Government action plan of targeted work to support carers over the next two years. This is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carers-action-plan-2018-to-2020 There are 64 actions in the plan focused around five important themes:- Effective services and systems;- Employment and financial wellbeing;- Supporting young carers;- Recognition and support within the wider community and society; and- Building evidence and research to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. The forthcoming adult social care Green Paper will also include a focus on carers and how society supports them. On funding, social care continues to be a key priority for this Government. In addition to the £2 billion announced at Spring Budget 2017, we have announced a further £150 million for 2018/19, giving councils access to up to £9.4 billion more dedicated funding for adult social care in total over three years.

Obesity: Children

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made on the effect of junk food advertising on childhood obesity.

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on his Department's research into the link between junk food advertising and childhood obesity.

Steve Brine: Evidence shows that children’s exposure to high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) product advertising can affect what children want to eat and what they choose to eat. This can happen both in the short term, increasing the amount of food children eat immediately after being exposed to a HFSS advert and in the longer term by shaping children’s food preferences from a young age. In the second chapter of our childhood obesity plan, launched in June 2018, we have committed to consult on introducing further advertising restrictions, including a 9pm watershed on TV advertising of HFSS products and similar protection for children viewing adverts online, with the aim of limiting children’s exposure to HFSS advertising, and incentivising sugar and calorie reduction. Further details about the consultation will be available later this year. Officials in the Department have regular discussions with their counterparts in the devolved administrations on improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people, including on tackling obesity. Discussions include domestic strategies and the delivery of United Kingdom-wide measures in our childhood obesity plan, such as advertising restrictions. ‘Childhood obesity: a plan for action, chapter 2’ is available at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/childhood-obesity-a-plan-for-action-chapter-2

Food: Safety

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that food safety standards remain closely aligned with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.

Steve Brine: The United Kingdom Government’s priority is to maintain the UK’s high standards of food and feed safety, and to ensure we take a risk-based, proportionate approach that prioritises the interests and protection of consumers. A range of solutions are being investigated to ensure that from day one, food is as safe as it is now. On 12 July the UK Government published a White Paper setting out a clear proposal for the future relationship we want to build with the European Union. The Government is proposing the establishment of a free trade area for goods, enabled by a common rulebook for goods including agri-food, covering only those rules necessary to provide for frictionless trade at the border. Maintaining a robust and effective regulatory regime for ensuring the safety of food remains a top priority as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

Church Commissioners

Cathedrals: Insolvency

Nia Griffith: To ask the right Hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment he has made of whether proposed recommendations by the Cathedrals Working Group on winding-up provisions in the event of a cathedral’s insolvency could result in creditors receiving less than they would otherwise.

Dame Caroline Spelman: The General Synod of the Church of England debated the Cathedrals Working Group report earlier this month. The Synod requested the Archbishops’ Council to bring forward a draft Measure for First Consideration at the July 2019 group of sessions, to give effect to the recommendations that involve legislative change. Preparatory work is expected to include an assessment of how the jurisdiction of the courts in relation to insolvency applies to cathedrals and what, if any, changes might be made.

Cabinet Office

Employment

Frank Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of the additional jobs in the UK labour market have been filled by (a) UK nationals and (b) non-UK nationals since 2010.

Chloe Smith: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 21 June 2018.The correct answer should have been:

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.


UKSA response 
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UKSA response 
(PDF Document, 146.7 KB)

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.


UKSA response 
(PDF Document, 66.77 KB)




UKSA response 
(PDF Document, 146.7 KB)

Service Industries: Vacancies

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the current number of vacancies in the (a) hospitality and (b) food preparation industries.

Chloe Smith: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 28 June 2018.The correct answer should have been:

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.


UKSA response 
(PDF Document, 76.2 KB)




UKSA Response
(PDF Document, 127.99 KB)

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.


UKSA response 
(PDF Document, 76.2 KB)




UKSA Response
(PDF Document, 127.99 KB)

Elections and Referendums: Campaigns

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government has an agreed definition of joint spending in relation to campaign spending for elections and referendums.

Chloe Smith: Expenses are defined in s75(1ZA) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 as ‘incurred by a person “as part of a concerted plan of action” if they are incurred by that person in pursuance of any plan or other arrangement whereby that person and one or more other persons are to incur [expenses], with a view to promoting or procuring the election of the same candidate.’With respect to a referendum, it is for Parliament to agree the offences that would apply. For the EU Referendum, ‘acting in concert’ was defined in paragraph 22 of Schedule 1 of the EU Referendum Act 2015 as ‘expenses incurred in pursuance of a plan or other arrangement'.

Treasury

Manufacturing Industries: Republic of Ireland

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the money accrued to the public purse of cross-border manufacturing processes between (a) Great Britain and Northern Ireland and (b) the Irish Republic.

Mel Stride: No such estimate has been made by HM Revenue and Customs.

Revenue and Customs: Recruitment

Chris Stephens: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average length of time has been for filling vacancies in HMRC's National Minimum Wage Compliance Unit in the last 12 months.

Chris Stephens: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the staffing complement is of HMRC's National Minimum Wage Compliance Unit; and how many of those staff posts were unfilled as of 17 July 2018.

Mel Stride: The government is determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum and Living Wage (NMW) receives it. Anyone who feels they have been underpaid NMW should contact the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 or via the online complaints form at gov.uk. At the end of the 2017/18 financial year there were 412 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in NMW compliance teams, up from 352 the previous year. Staffing levels fluctuate throughout the year. HMRC is currently staffed to 83% of planned NMW recruitment, and continues an extensive recruitment process as part of HMRC’s ongoing growth in developing enforcement capability. Other staff across HMRC also contribute to enforcing the NMW, including lawyers, technical advisers and those specialising in criminal investigations. These staff are not included in these numbers. HMRC does not hold data in the format required to answer the question on average time to fill vacancies within NMW. The Government has more than trebled annual funding of minimum wage enforcement since 2014, providing a total budget of £26.3m in 2018/19. The additional investment has enabled a significant expansion of resources dedicated to enforcing the minimum wage. Last year HMRC identified over £15.6m of NMW arrears for over 200,000 workers, which is the largest amount of arrears found for workers in any single year since the NMW was introduced.

Revenue and Customs: Equal Pay

Chris Stephens: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the most recent estimate is of the gender pay gap within HMRC.

Mel Stride: HMRC’s gender pay gap analysis, published in December 2017, showed a base pay gap of 8.4% (mean) and 12.2% (median). Whilst this compares favourably with other Civil Service departments, HMRC is not complacent and are actively working to address the gap. HMRC continues to meet regularly with its recognised unions to review the pay position of all employees; with the shared ambition of ensuring annual pay awards are as fair as is reasonably possible.

Tax Evasion

Chris Stephens: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people are employed to investigate tax evasion in the HMRC's Customs Wealthy Team Unit; and if he will make a statement.

Mel Stride: HMRC does not have a team called the “Customs Wealthy Team Unit”. HMRC’s Wealthy team (merging the previous High Net Worth Unit and Affluent teams) as of 31st March 2018 had approximately 1046 full time equivalent staff engaged in customer compliance activity. Their roles focus on promoting tax compliance and tackling non-compliance amongst the wealthy population, including, where evidence is found, investigating potential tax evasion. The team works closely with Counter Avoidance and Fraud Investigation Service to ensure HMRC effectively tackle avoidance and evasion within this customer segment.

Children: Day Care

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the effect on parental (a) employment and (b) productivity of the (i) Tax-Free childcare and (ii) 30-hours free childcare scheme.

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the introduction of the Childcare Choices website has had on trends in the level of parents accessing available childcare options.

Elizabeth Truss: The government is keeping Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare under review and will continue to evaluate the effects.We are conducting a programme of research and analysis to help us to evaluate the schemes, which we will publish once it is complete. The independent evaluation of 30 hours’ early implementation and early rollout areas found that 23% of mothers and 9% of fathers had increased their working hours after receiving support through 30 hours. The full report was published in July 2017 and can be found athttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/628938/Evaluation_of_early_implementation_of_30_hours_free_childcare_-_Brief.pdf Over 2 million parents have visited the Childcare Choices website since it was launched in March 2017. Through the site, parents can find out what government help is available and information on how to apply for each offer. They can also use the childcare calculator to understand what offers might be best for them, and scenario play to see how that might change if they increase their hours or their circumstances. The calculator has been used over 1.6 million times since it was launched.

Cryptoassets Taskforce

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress the Cryptoassets Taskforce is making on its work programme.

John Glen: The first meeting of the Taskforce was held on May 21st, and attended by senior leaders from government and the financial regulators, including the Director General of Financial Services at HM Treasury, the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, and the Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority.[1] Officials from across all three organisations continue to meet on a regular basis and are working closely together. Officials are also engaging with industry stakeholders and international counterparts, and held an industry roundtable on 23 July. The Taskforce will publish a report in Q3 2018.  [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cryptoassets-taskforce-meets-for-the-first-time

Money Laundering

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to extend the provisions of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 to include the conduct of letting agencies.

John Glen: The EU’s Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD) requires EU Member States to extend the scope of their anti-money laundering (AML) regimes to estate agents that are letting property for a rent of over €10,000 per month. The transposition deadline for 5AMLD is January 2020. As this falls within the Implementation Period, the UK will transpose this Directive.

Money Laundering

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to bring forward legislative proposals for the regulation of (a) unprofessional, (b) unqualified and (c) unethical agents in the property market to tackle money laundering in the property sector.

John Glen: The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK property market is hostile to illicit finance whilst ensuring burdens on legitimate businesses are minimised. Estate agents are covered by the UK’s Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (“the regulations”). Under the regulations, estate agents must conduct customer due diligence checks, including identifying and verifying their clients (which includes both buyers and sellers) and conducting ongoing monitoring. HMRC, as the supervisor of estate agents, is also required to carry out criminality checks on their supervised population to ensure that individuals with a relevant criminal conviction cannot be the beneficial owner, officer, manager or sole practitioner of a relevant estate agency firm. The regulations were comprehensively updated in 2017 and we’ll continue to keep them under review.

Money Laundering

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on improving levels of compliance with and supervision of the 2017 Money Laundering Regulations of changing HMRC’s policy of not making public the fines incurred from lack of compliance with those regulations of 2017; and if he will take step so to change that policy.

Mel Stride: HMRC has a duty under Regulation 85 of the 2017 regulations to publish details of businesses that do not comply with those regulations. They will start to publish these details later this year.HMRC considers cases individually to decide whether to publish details in full, anonymously, or not at all. Where a decision is made to publish in full, the following information will be published:the name and address of the business owner or businessthe nature of the breach or breachesthe penalty issued by HMRCthe status of any appeal against the penaltyAs set out in the Regulations, HMRC will publish anonymously if it considers that the effect of publishing details about an individual or business would be disproportionate. In addition, it will not publish details at all if it decides that a penalty under these regulations is minor or may affect financial markets significantly.The details will be published regularly on GOV.UK and available to view for at least 5 years. Only breaches under the 2017 regulations will be published and these will include:details of businesses that have received penalties for non-compliance with the regulations (including for trading without being supervised by HMRC)a list of breaches where HMRC has decided that the business should be anonymousthe total number and value of minor penalties issued under the 2017 regulations.HMRC will also publish the total number and value of penalties issued under the 2007 regulations for the period.

Environment Protection

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what quantifiable contribution the monies generated by Air Passenger Duty have made to improving the UK’s environmental commitments.

Robert Jenrick: Air Passenger Duty (APD) is forecast to raise £3.4 billion in 2017-18. APD receipts are not hypothecated, and therefore contribute to funding for our vital public services and other Government expenditure. The Government takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and uses a range of levers at its disposal, including spending, taxation and regulatory policy, to meet its climate and environmental objectives.

Northern Ireland Office

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much the Government has spent on preparing Northern Ireland Executive departments for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Elizabeth Truss: The Government is making additional funding available so that departments and the devolved administrations can prepare effectively for EU Exit.At Autumn Budget 2017 we made an additional £3 billion available for 2018-19 and 2019-20 (£1.5bn each year) on top of £700 million additional funding previously announced.The devolved administrations are receiving their full share of additional funding in devolved areas through the Barnett Formula. Through this process the Northern Ireland Executive departments have so far been allocated an additional £2.35m in 2017-18 and £15.2m in 2018-19.

Tobacco: Smuggling

Martyn Day: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how he plans to ensure that the UK tobacco product track and trace system as required by Article 8 of the WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products will be fully independent from the tobacco industry.

Robert Jenrick: The government is committed to meeting the requirements for independence from the tobacco industry as per Article 8 of the WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. The track and trace system will be implemented under the EU Tobacco Products Directive. The implementing legislation for the Directive specifies strict and comprehensive criteria by which independence from the tobacco industry is determined. Providers of the track and trace system will need to demonstrate to HM Revenue & Customs that they satisfy this criteria both before and during the period they provide the services required as a condition of holding the respective contracts.

Red Diesel: Excise Duties

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the annual cost to the Exchequer is of revenue foregone through the Red Diesel scheme.

Robert Jenrick: The cost to the Exchequer of the rebate on red diesel duty rate is published along with other principal tax reliefs here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs The latest estimate of the revenue foregone is £2.45bn in 2017/18 if compared with taxing all diesel fuel at the road fuel rate (57.95 pence per litre).

Nappies: Waste Disposal

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will consider in its definition of single-use plastics the effect of disposable nappies on the residual waste stream that goes to landfill.

Robert Jenrick: The government has recently closed a call for evidence on how the tax system or charges can be used to tackle single-use plastic waste. The government received over 130,000 responses, including many views on the definition of single-use plastics. These responses are currently being reviewed. The government is committed to taking action in this area, and will announce its next steps regarding specific policy proposals in the autumn.

Public Finance

Faisal Rashid: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 33 of the Fiscal sustainability report – July 2018, published by the Office of Budget Responsibility on 17 July 2018, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies that Brexit is more likely to weaken the public finances than strengthen them over the medium term.

Elizabeth Truss: As set out in its White Paper published on 12 July 2018, the government is seeking a deep and comprehensive economic partnership with the EU, broader in scope than any other that exists between the EU and a third country. This partnership will protect jobs and support growth while respecting the UK’s sovereignty, preserving the constitutional and economic integrity of the UK’s own Union, and respecting the EU’s autonomy and the integrity of the Single Market.

Cycling

Stephen Kerr: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the financial benefits for the public purse of the Cycle to Work Scheme.

Mel Stride: The Government has not made an assessment of the financial benefits of the Cycle to Work scheme. Bicycles provided under the scheme are tax exempt and so no data is reported to HMRC.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Gaming Machines

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what engagement she has had with (a) the gambling industry and (b) Gamblers Anonymous on the reduction in maximum stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals.

Tracey Crouch: Ministers have regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss a range of issues including the stake reduction on B2 machines. Details of Ministerial meetings are published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk

Gambling: Children

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he has made an assessment of the potential merits of the conclusions the report, Skin gambling: teenage Britain’s secret habit, published by Parent Zone in June 2018 of the assessment he has made of the findings of the June 2018; and what discussions he has had with the Gambling Commission on underage skin gambling.

Tracey Crouch: The report from ParentZone highlighted concerns around ‘skins’ gambling, including that this may permit children to access gambling sites. It identified the role the government, industry, regulators and parents play in protecting children online.Protecting children and the vulnerable from being harmed or exploited by gambling is a priority for the government and a core objective of the regulation of gambling in Great Britain. There are strong protections in place against operators of illegal gambling facilities, including within video games.The Gambling Commission published a position paper which addressed gambling with in-game items in May 2017. It has a range of powers to act where there is a failure to prevent illegal gambling, including bringing criminal action against unlicensed operators that offer gambling to children.The Commission is closely monitoring the convergence between video games and gambling and has shown it will take action and prosecute unlicensed gambling. The Commission is also seeking to work with the video games industry to raise awareness of and explore solutions to this issue.As part of its work to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online, the Government published the Internet Safety Strategy Green Paper in October 2017 and published its consultation response in May this year.

Charities: Fund Raising

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many people used the Fundraising Preference Service in the last 12 months; and what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of that service.

Tracey Crouch: The Fundraising Regulator, the independent non-statutory regulator of charitable fundraising, launched the Fundraising Preference Service (FPS) on 7 July 2017. The FPS enables people to more easily opt out of charity fundraising requests. For the first full year that the FPS has been in operation, it has had 6,619 unique users of the service with 19,583 requests to stop communication from specified charities. Over 25% of the requests were for a person other than the person making the request, indicating that the FPS is providing an important service to vulnerable and elderly people who may need other people to make requests on their behalf. The Fundraising Regulator has said that it intends to let the FPS to operate for another year before it reviews its effectiveness. This will also enable it to monitor the effect of the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 on the way charities use data and consent rules to contact their donors and other supporters.

Gaming Machines

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the technological changes needed for a reduction in maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals to be completed.

Tracey Crouch: On 17 May, as part of its response to the Consultation on proposed changes for Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures, the Government announced that the maximum stake for B2 machines would be reduced to £2. Officials have made good progress on drafting the SI to implement the change and will continue to engage with stakeholders on the technological requirements.

Culture and Mass Media

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing ring-fenced funding for arts, culture and media projects to incentivise greater diversity.

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to introduce ring-fenced funding for arts, culture and media projects to incentivise greater diversity.

Margot James: We have not assessed the specific merits of ring fencing funding for arts, culture and media projects. DCMS work closely with our arms length bodies to increase diversity in the cultural, arts and media sectors. Our Culture White Paper stated that publicly funded culture should reflect the diversity of our country and DCMS has asked Arts Council England, Historic England and the national museums and galleries to develop and share strategies for tackling the lack of diversity in leadership. The BFI is also amongst our ALBs who have developed and rolled out Diversity Standards, which applies to all of its public funding programmes.

BBC: Staff

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will require the BBC to publish the proportion of people it employs working (a) on-screen and (b) off-screen who are BAME.

Margot James: As the BBC’s external regulator, Ofcom is responsible for ensuring the BBC reflects and represents the diversity of the UK nations and regions. The BBC must report to Ofcom annually on this matter, including on the diversity of all BBC staff employed in connection with the provision of BBC public services. Transparency is key and the government is clear that the BBC should be leading the way on both on- and off-screen diversity. The government expects all broadcasters, including the BBC, to publish data on all diversity characteristics - not just data they are legally obliged to disclose.

Broadcasting: Equality

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with representatives at (a) the BBC, (b) Channel Four and (c) private sector broadcasters on promoting diversity in those organisations.

Margot James: We are committed to improving diversity in all its sectors - particularly in the media - which should reflect everyone in society, including those with visible differences. The department provides regular support and encouragement to media organisations and to initiatives like Project Diamond which work in support of this goal. This includes through discussion with BBC and Channel 4, private sector broadcasters and with Ofcom who have a duty to ensure broadcasters are fulfilling their obligations to promote equal opportunities.

Digital Technology: Data Protection

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the digital and tech sector of the UK leaving the EU without a data adequacy arrangement in place.

Margot James: In a globalised digital economy, data flows envelop all trade in goods and services as well as other business and personal relations. They are critical for both sides in a modern trading relationship. We want to secure an agreement with the EU that provides stability and confidence for EU and UK business, public bodies and individuals to achieve our aims in maintaining and developing the UK’s strong trading, economic and security links with the EU. That is why we are seeking to build on the standard adequacy model and want to see ongoing regulatory cooperation and joined up enforcement action between UK and EU data protection authorities. A responsible government should prepare for all potential outcomes, including the unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached on data protection. The government will continue to engage with businesses, including in the digital and tech sectors, to help them understand how they would need to operate under a range of outcomes on data protection.

Football: Sponsorship

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had discussions with the Football Association to discourage football clubs from accepting betting companies as their shirt sponsor.

Tracey Crouch: As with gambling advertising, gambling sponsorship arrangements must be socially responsible and must never be targeted at children. The gambling industry code for socially responsible advertising requires that gambling logos must not appear on any merchandising designed for children, including replica shirts in children’s sizes. Sports themselves also have a responsibility to ensure their audiences are protected and we encourage all organisations who benefit from gambling advertising or sponsorship, including football clubs, to look at how they can contribute to raising awareness of the potential risks associated with gambling.Gambling adverts are already banned on under-18 team shirts and last year the Football Association voluntarily decided to end its sponsorship partnerships with betting companies to avoid conflict with its role in enforcing rules on betting.

Digital Technology: Gloucester

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the amount of funding allocated from the public purse to (a) fibre broadband installation and (b) mobile phone signal installations to improve digital connectivity in Gloucester.

Margot James: Government has invested heavily in digital connectivity in Gloucester through its Superfast programme, which has invested over £34m across Gloucestershire, Hereford, and South Gloucestershire. The majority of this investment has supported fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) connections, with some fibre to the premise (FTTP) connections installed in harder to reach areas. We received an expression of interest from Gloucester City Council in 2017 for the Local Full Fibre Network programme’s Challenge Fund, which is designed to fund locally-led public connectivity projects that have the potential to leverage commercial investment in full fibre broadband connections. Local bodies were invited to submit formal bids, and funding was allocated to 13 successful bidders that were announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement in March 2018. We expect the next round of funding to open in summer 2018. We did not receive a bid from Gloucester for the first wave of funding, so we would welcome a bid from them for this next round. We are also encouraging fibre broadband rollout through our Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. Small to medium sized businesses can claim a voucher worth up to £3,000 and residents can claim a voucher worth up to £500 as part of a group project. Businesses and local community groups interested in requesting a voucher can find details of suppliers in their local area on our website at https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/. So far in Gloucester there has been a total of 11 vouchers requested, so we would welcome further uptake of the scheme. On mobile connectivity, the Government does not provide direct funding. Our approach is to deliver regulatory reforms that make it easier to roll out mobile infrastructure across the UK. That is why we have reformed the Electronic Communications Code, to encourage investment in the rollout of digital infrastructure by making deployment cheaper. The reforms came into force on 28 December 2017, and this will help expand current and future digital networks. We have also reformed mobile planning laws in England in November 2016, which provided new rights, for example, to build taller masts.

Broadband: Greater London

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what analysis his Department has made of the economic impact of broadband blackspots in (a) London and (b) Vauxhall constituency.

Margot James: The Department has analysed the impacts of superfast broadband, including the economic impact. Our 2013 UK Broadband Impact Study, and an evaluation in 2015 of the UK's National Broadband Scheme are both available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-broadband-impact-study--2 and www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-national-broadband-scheme-an-independent-evaluation. We will be publishing a further independent evaluation of the Department’s superfast programme, which has provided superfast broadband access to over 4.85 million homes and businesses across the UK. The Department has not conducted a specific analysis of the economic impact of poor broadband connectivity in London or the Vauxhall constituency.

Broadband: Greater London

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to tackle broadband blackspots in London.

Margot James: In those areas where decent broadband is not available, we are introducing a broadband Universal Service Obligation so that by 2020 everyone across the UK will have a clear, enforceable right to request high speed broadband of at least 10 Megabits per second. We will keep the speed and quality parameters under review to make sure that it keeps pace with consumers' evolving needs.  In addition, the Government’s ambition is for full fibre to 15 million premises by 2025 and nationwide coverage by 2033. On 23 July, the Government published its Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, setting out approach to achieving our targets by promoting competition and commercial investment.  The Government is also investing in full fibre connectivity through our £280 million Local Full Fibre Networks programme. In March 2018, funding was allocated to 13 successful bidders, with projects in several UK cities, including London, Manchester, Cambridge, Cardiff, and Belfast.

Food: Advertising

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of UK television advertising related to junk food products in 2017.

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on the potential merits of extending junk food advertising restrictions.

Margot James: In the second chapter of our childhood obesity plan, launched in June 2018, we have committed to consult on introducing further advertising restrictions, including a 9pm watershed on TV advertising of HFSS products and similar protection for children viewing adverts online, with the aim of limiting children’s exposure to HFSS advertising, and incentivising sugar and calorie reduction. Further details about the consultation will be available later this year. Officials in government have regular discussions with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations on improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people, including on tackling obesity. Discussions include domestic strategies and the delivery of UK-wide measures in our childhood obesity plan, such as advertising restrictions."Childhood obesity: a plan for action, chapter 2” is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/childhood-obesity-a-plan-for-action-chapter-2

Mobile Phones: Licensing

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the timescale is for issuing new licences to mobile networks.

Margot James: Securing optimal use of spectrum is one of Ofcom’s duties. Ofcom plans to award new licences for airwaves in the 700 MHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz bands of the radio spectrum by auction in the second half of 2019. These airwaves are suitable for the provision of mobile services. Ofcom has consulted on proposals to attach coverage obligations to some of the licences to be awarded and will consult on its proposals for the award later this year.

Mobile Phones

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has to help eliminate not spots.

Margot James: We are committed to ensuring that the UK has good quality, consistent connectivity where people live, work and travel. My Department is also working across Government, and with others, to ensure delivery of our manifesto commitment to secure 95% geographic coverage of the UK by 2022. Alongside this work, Ofcom’s recent consultation outlined potential new licence obligations targeting rural coverage as part of the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction. This would further help deliver better mobile coverage and enable more people to benefit from the digital economy.

Northern Ireland Office

Stormont House Agreement

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many applications for funding for money associated with the Fresh Start Agreement have been (a) accepted and (b) rejected in each year since that funding has been made available; and for what reasons applications were rejected.

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful applications for funding from money associated with the Fresh Start Agreement have been for (i) shared education projects and (ii) integrated education projects in each year since that funding has been made available.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The UK Government has approved over £180 million of funding for shared and integrated education and housing. This funding will go towards Tranche 1 projects including the construction of three shared education campuses, three integrated schools and will allow 17 project proposals to be developed. £140 million of this funding is for the Strule Shared Education Campus. The UK Government and the NICS are working closely on a further package of investment for shared and integrated education projects in line with the Fresh Start Agreement.

Political Parties: Northern Ireland

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will hold discussions with the Electoral Commission on the adequacy of regulations governing donations to political parties in Northern Ireland in light of BBC Northern Ireland’s Spotlight programme broadcast on 26 June 2018; and if she will make a statement.

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make it her policy to launch a public consultation on amending the Transparency of Donations and Loans etc. (Northern Ireland Political Parties) Order 2018 to backdate these provisions to 2014.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The Government has been clear that following the introduction of the Transparency of Donations and Loans etc. (Northern Ireland Political Parties) Order 2018, we intend to review the operation of the broader framework for donations and loans in Northern Ireland once the regime has fully bedded in. As a matter of good practice we will engage with the Electoral Commission to review implementation as well as take views from political representatives in Northern Ireland.

Political Parties: Northern Ireland

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) discussions her Department has held with and (b) representations her Department has received from the Electoral Commission about the adequacy of regulations governing donations to political parties in Northern Ireland since the the approval of the Transparency of Donations and Loans etc. (Northern Ireland Political Parties) Order 2018 on 7 March 2018.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Northern Ireland Office officials held a number of discussions with the Electoral Commission on a range of electoral issues including donations and loans over this period. In addition, the Electoral Commission has written to the Minister responsible, Lord Duncan of Springbank, on one occasion and a meeting to discuss this and other issues is being arranged.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans she has to amend the powers of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission relating to legal proceedings as a result of Supreme Court case [2018] UKSC 27; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: The Government is carefully considering the full judgment of the Supreme Court. This is clearly a complex area of law, and an extremely sensitive subject matter, which raises a number of different substantive and procedural issues to consider. I am fully committed to facilitating the ongoing work of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Northern Ireland Government

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will appoint an independent facilitator to reconvene all-party talks on restoring the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing the Northern Ireland Assembly to sit in committee format, in parallel with all-party talks, to scrutinise and advise Northern Ireland Government Departments on decision making in the absence of ministers.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Restoring devolution remains a top priority for this Government. We are committed to redoubling UK Government efforts to restore the Executive, and continue to keep a range of options under review.

Women and Equalities

Heterosexuality: Civil Partnerships

Jo Stevens: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when the Government plans to bring forward legislative proposals in response to the Supreme Court's recent ruling on heterosexual civil partnerships.

Victoria Atkins: We have committed to undertake further work to inform a decision on civil partnerships and resolve the difference in treatment between same-sex and opposite-sex couples. We will bring forward legislative proposals on this issue in due course.

UN Commission On the Status of Women: New York

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the outcomes were of the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women which took place in New York from 12 to 23 March 2018.

Victoria Atkins: The priority theme for the 62nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls. Working in collaboration with our EU partners, the UK Government helped to secure a strong outcome document, which included positive language on sexual and reproductive health and rights, the role of men in unpaid care, quality education and human rights. In addition, the UK delegation, led by the Secretary of State for International Development, had a successful programme, including ‎chairing side events to share good practice, bilateral meetings and delivering the UK national statement.

Equal Pay: Disclosure of Information

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to enforce sanctions for companies that fail to report their gender pay gap.

Victoria Atkins: Regulations introduced in 2017 require employers with 250 or more employees to report specific data about their gender pay gap.The Equality and Human Rights Commission has the power to take enforcement action against employers that breach the regulations. Failure to comply with the regulations could ultimately lead to an unlimited fine decided by the courtsThe Equality and Human Rights Commission have published their enforcement policy, which is available online:www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/closing-gap-enforcing-gender-pay-gap-regulations

Females: Directors

Richard Graham: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Female FTSE Board Report 2018, published by Cranfield University in July 2018, what steps the Government is taking to support more women into business leadership positions; and what local initiatives the Government Equalities Office is supporting to inspire more women into public life.

Victoria Atkins: We welcome Cranfield’s research, helping the business community to identify and address barriers to achieving gender-balanced leadership. Cranfield’s 2018 Board Report shows that the FTSE 100 are on track to meet the Hampton-Alexander Review target. This is for women to hold 33% of positions on FTSE Boards by 2020, as well as on Executive Committees and their Direct Reports. 29% of board positions are now held by women, up from 27.7% in October 2017 and 12.5% in 2011. The FTSE 250 however, need to take action to address their slow progress.The Government is supporting the Hampton-Alexander Review targets. Our new requirement for large employers to publish gender pay gap information is also exposing where women face barriers to progression and supporting employers to remove these. Other initiatives that support the talent pipeline of women include the Women’s Business Council’s action groups: Starting Out, Getting On and Staying On. The Government has also allocated £5million to help people who have taken time out for caring responsibilities, to return to work.Our £1.5m Women’s Votes Centenary Grant Scheme is supporting grassroots projects across England that encourage more women to participate in all levels of politics so that they can have an equal voice in decision-making.